How to Dry Strawflowers: Preserving Garden Blooms for Fall
From Garden to Décor
This summer, I grew strawflowers for the very first time, and what a discovery they’ve been. Their vibrant colors—blazing oranges, pinks, and yellows—dance under the sun, while the unique papery texture of the petals adds a touch of magic. It’s like holding a piece of art in my hands.
I’ve fallen in love with them, especially since strawflowers are perfect for drying. Their delicate, papery petals don’t wilt like other flowers, but hold their shape, preserving their beauty long after they've left the garden.
As I gather the blooms today, I feel a sense of peace wash over me. There's something calming about the rhythm of cutting each stem, the flowers falling into my basket with a soft whisper. The colors seem to soothe my soul—blush pinks, sunny yellows, and fiery reds all blending together, a snapshot of summer before it fades into fall.
With a basket full, I head home, excited to prepare them for drying. I pick up some twine and gently wrap each bunch, making sure the stems are snug together but not too tight. Three beautiful bunches are ready, each one bursting with color and the promise of autumn arrangements.
I hang the bunches upside down from a wooden ladder, letting the air slowly preserve them. They sway slightly, catching the light, nature’s autumn gift suspended in time. Soon, these strawflowers will be ready for fall wreaths or bouquets, their beauty a reminder of sunny days in the garden, captured and preserved for the season ahead.
For now, they hang, a colorful reminder that the cycle of the garden doesn’t end with the harvest.
