My dried flower garden in July

Since my last monthly diary post, we actually had some hot weather – hooray! I have spent lots of time in the garden, but most of it soaking up sunshine rather than doing anything useful.

Experimenting with dried flowers from my garden

I was trained as a scientist, so a few controlled experiments are always on the cards! This month it’s pressing flowers, and drying hydrangeas.

Pressed dried flowers

This July I have been picking any flower petals I can find, to experiment with pressing: roses, violas, honeysuckle, evening primrose, and verbascum amongst others.

I don’t have a big enough press, so have been using blotting paper and books – watch this space! I am awaiting the results of the rose petals before posting on the subject of homegrown wedding confetti.

Drying flowers – hydrangea

I have also been experimenting with drying hydrangeas. I was in my local Waitrose, and couldn’t resist this large pot.

This flower is a lovely combination of lavender pink and eau de nil green. The backs of the flowers are just as pretty as the front.

I have been doing my homework on drying hydrangeas, and it seems that they dry best when the stem is left in a half full vase of water which is not replenished. The flower then seems to dry more slowly. Again – watch this space for results!

More dried flowers

In June I mentioned making leaf potpourri – the recipe is now finished with a fragrance reminiscent of rose turkish delight.

I am also excitedly writing various features on the general theme of dried flowers requested by Popular Crafts magazine.

Dried flowers in August…

… May be rather thin on the ground! It’s the school holidays and there is only so much anyone can fit into a day, what with the shop and all.