Air Drying Flowers

***This is the sixth article in a series of 100 articles on floral design and running a flower shop.

Air drying flowers is the simplest method used to dry flowers for use in arrangements and wreaths. This method takes a minimum amount of time and requires no special equipment. Moisture is removed from plant material by air circulation, without any use of drying agent.

To air dry most flowers, remove some or all of the foliage.  Bunch similar flowers together loosely, tying together with a rubber band or twine. Hang bunches upside-down, as this enables stems to dry straight. Hang bunches in a well-circulated, dark area. A barn, closet or dark garage would be ideal. Attics tend be dry and dark and are a good place to hang flowers, while basement may be too damp. In an attic, you will usually have overhead beams. On the beams, you can hammer nails directly into the beams, and hang the flowers upside down by string or florist wire. You will need a room that does not have dust or direct sunlight. Wooden pegged coffee cup hangers and pieces of lattice attached to the wall are places to air-dry flowers. Temperature should be cool and dry. Damp conditions will promote poor results, as well as mold and mildew. Dark, cool conditions will help flowers maintain their color and keep them from becoming brittle. Most flowers should be dry within 1-3 weeks. You can tell they are dry completely when they feel crisp to the touch.  

A variation of air drying is to place grasses and branches upright in container filled with a few inches of warm water or to dry them flat on newspaper. Flowers can also be dried upright in buckets to allow some of the material to gain natural curves and a drooping effect as they dry. Some flowers that have air-dried well for me are: yarrow, dahlias, poppy seed heads, roses, marjoram, delphinium, larkspur, lavender, strawflower, globe thistle, cornflower, statice, baby’s breath, globe amaranth, and peonies. Grasses, such as wheat, rice grass, and any natural grasses along the creek bank dry well. Pick wild grasses while still a little green. 

Dried flowers make excellent floral centerpieces. Dried flower wreaths are also a wonderful addition to a bedroom or kitchen. Wreaths can be made of dried roses, gypsophilia, and statice. Bunches of herbs can be air dried and made into a wreath for the kitchen. For extra scent and visual interest, add cinnamon sticks, cloves, and dried apple and orange slices. Once dried, many flowers, grasses and seed pods benefit from a light coating of commercial sealant. The sealant will keep the flowers and grasses from shedding. 

Microwave Flower Press Is Fast And Easy To Use! 

Flower Drying Crystals (Silica Gel) - 1.5LBS of Flower Preservative 

Quick Cure Drying Rack for Drying Buds and Flowers 

Preserving Flowers: Dried & Pressed Floral Designs for Every Season 

11 000 Rose Petals Wedding Freeze Dried Rose Petals Red 5 LbFMM Flower Drying Stand, Flat Pack 

Dried Flowers from Antiquity to the Present: A History and Practical Guide to Flower Drying 

The Rack Collapsible Drying System 24"x53" 

Drying Cut Lavander Flowers after Harvest, Sault, Provence, France, June 2004 Photographic Poster Print by Inaki Relanzon, 12x16 

Flowers Give an Arrangement Shape

By Debra Cary

***This is the fifth article in a series of 100 articles on floral design and running a   flower shop.

It is fascinating to know how different types of flowers and foliage are combined to make beautiful, distinctive bouquets. Flowers have individual shapes, textures, and colors. Line flowers are the tall flora that gives designs height, width, and a balanced look. Line flowers give a design its basic shape. Liatris, snapdragons, delphiniums, larkspur, stock, gladiolus, tuberose, veronica, curly willow, bells-of-Ireland, stock and Canterbury bells are all excellent examples. The line flowers are inserted both vertically and horizontally in the design after greenery. Focal and filler flowers are then added to add to the shape, texture and sentiment of the design.

Branches and tall foliage can also serve as line flowers. Most line flowers have blossoms graduating to buds at the top. Line flowers by themselves look stunning in cylindrical vases. Line flowers can give characteristic and creative importance to your designs.

There are several types of line in an arrangement. Lines can express different moods and feelings just by the direction they are placed. Line provides a pathway for the eye to follow throughout the arrangement. The three main types of line are actual line, implied line, and psychic line.

Actual lines are very obvious. The eye can easily follow the design to its height and width. Actual lines sets up the skeleton of the design. Actual line flowers can be curving and flowing within the design. Implied lines in floral design provide a pathway for the eye to follow but no actual line flowers are there. Although carnations are not line flowers per say, if they are cut one taller than the other that can create a line effect. Greenery can also create a line effect. As our eyes connect the upward graduating carnations we see a line result. The third kind of line is the psychic line. This is a line that does not exist, yet we feel the line outcome. Psychic designs are made by placing flowers in a manner that directs the eye up and throughout. Two tall birds of paradise can be placed high in an arrangement, while all other flora materials are rather short and to the base. The two tall birds of paradise create a visual line and bring the visual path upward. Many oriental designs use this technique.

Line direction is where flowers placed in the design giving the arrangement vertical direction, horizontal direction, or a diagonal line. Line materials also place curves into the flower design. Without line in a design, we would not have any fluid movement. Our eyes would be stuck and not circulate throughout the design to see the whole image we are trying to create.

Have fun with line flowers. Go as tall as you want. As long as a design is balanced with focal and filler flowers most designs work. Practice and play with color and texture. Have fun and dare to experiment!

Branches and Berries in Floral Designs

Branches and Berries in Floral Designs

***This is the fourth article in a series of 100 articles on floral design and running a flower shop.

The use of natural branches in floral arranging can give dramatic effects. Natural branches include manzanita, birch, curly willow, red twig dogwood, witch hazel, and blooming tree branches. Sierra Manzanita has a wonderful bonsai look that is great alone or within arrangements. Each is different, giving its own look and representing different seasons of the year. Branches can be used in floral designs or in a vase all by themselves. The one good thing about purchasing branches are most of them are everlasting, not perishable, as much of the flora with which we work.

                                                                                             

When adding branches to designs, the potential is boundless. I love to go into the mountains and find natural green moss covered branches. I use these in live plant basket gardens. Also, little replicas of birds in a nest can be perched on the branches for a woodlands look. Very curly willow can be used to add height to green plants or fresh and silk arrangements. These branches can be left natural can be sprayed any color of your choice. Glitter can be applied to the branches for a festive effect. 

Very unique pieces of wood include the natural sanded grapeseed branch. Each piece of sanded grapeseed displays knots and very nice wood grain. This is also a very gnarled piece of wood with lots of twists and turns. Small forest animals, moss, birds and eggs are appropriate accents.

Branches with berries on them are some of my favorites. They are so versatile. Natural huckleberry branches with faux red berries can be bought from your wholesaler. These branches are perfect in wreaths and container designs. Pyracantha berries are also a good choice for much of the year. They can be grown in a home landscaping. The berries on the pyracantha range from orange to dark brown. Their orange to brown color makes them wonderful for fall designs. 

The hypernicum berry branch is a stem with olive green berries to darkish brown. Hypernicum berries combined with preserved oak leaves and cattails, are also spectacular choices for an autumn design. Hypernicum berries have also become popular in bridal bouquets. Stems with berries can either be bought in the fresh, natural form, dried or artificial variety that is extremely realistic. Do not forget about responsibly gathering materials from the outdoors.

Natural branches can be placed in buckets, baskets, or crates and draped with white lights. This type of preparation makes a fascinating display piece for your shop, exhibit window, or event where drama is needed. Flexible and easy to use, artificial branches and berries can be arranged and rearranged for all kinds of events. 

In the springtime, flowering branches are readily available. Forsythia, cherry branches, pussy willow, apple blossoms, and crab apple stems. These branches are not extremely long lasting. They do have a series of buds and blossoms making the blooming power longer. There is nothing more attractive, says that spring is coming than a vase of forsythia. Look around your yard and your neighborhood for flowering branches as well.

Branches and berries can be used in upscale designs to everyday natural, country creations. Large bunches of branches and berries tied with lots of natural raffia strewn throughout your shop are terrific accent pieces. A large bunch of branches or berries can be bought from your local wholesaler for about $5.00-$8.00. A bunch goes a long way. Using berries and branches in your designs is a way to distinguish your shop from the mass marketers. Natural materials such as these give your store unique character and personality.

Set of 6 Pre-Lit 36" White Berry Branch Sprays With Clear Lights #179944 

Pack of 12 Holly & Berries Decorative Silk Berry Christmas Branches 28" 

24 pieces of 21" Hand Wraped Artificial Berry Sprays with Berries 

18" Myrtle Wreath with Dried Flowers 

Frontier Chamomile Flowers, German Whole Certified Organic, 16 Ounce Bag 

Flower Press Kit for Microwave Ovens- 9" x 9" 

Malcolm Hillier's Guide to Dried Flowers