We dry everything in the outbuilding behind the studio, hanging in small bunches from a wooden rail. The method is not complicated, but a few details make the difference between flowers that dry beautifully and flowers that go mouldy or lose all their colour.
Which flowers dry well ¶
The best candidates for air-drying are flowers with low moisture content and sturdy petals. Strawflower, statice, lagurus (bunny tails), honesty, and lavender are the most reliable. Roses dry well if they are not fully open when you hang them. Dahlias are more difficult and often go papery. Peonies can work if you catch them just as they open. Avoid anything very fleshy or with a high water content.
When to cut for drying ¶
Cut flowers for drying before they are fully open. A rose at three-quarters open will dry with more shape and colour than one that is fully blown. For strawflower, cut when the outer petals are open but the centre is still tight. For lagurus, cut when the heads are fully formed but still slightly green. Timing matters more than most people expect.
The hanging method ¶
Strip the lower leaves, tie the stems in small bunches of five to eight stems with a rubber band (not string, which loosens as the stems shrink), and hang upside down in a warm, dry, dark space with good airflow. Darkness preserves colour. A warm kitchen works if it is not too humid. An airing cupboard is ideal. Avoid anywhere damp.
How long it takes ¶
Most flowers are fully dry in two to four weeks, depending on the humidity and the flower. Lagurus is usually done in ten days. Peonies can take five weeks. You will know they are ready when the stems feel completely rigid and the petals are papery to the touch. If anything feels soft or damp, leave it longer.
Keeping dried flowers looking good ¶
Once dry, keep arrangements away from direct sunlight, which fades colour over time, and away from humidity, which can cause rehydration and mould. A light dusting with a soft brush every few months is all they need. Dried flowers in a dry room away from south-facing windows can look good for well over a year.
If you would rather not do it yourself, our dried studio bunches are available in the shop year-round. We dry everything on-site and the mix changes with the season.