Drying Roses and Making Potpourri Roses

Dried Roses for Arrangements · Potpourri

Dried Roses for Arrangements

For best results purchase a bouquet of roses specifically for the purpose of drying. It is Recommended that you arrange the roses in a vase with water and floral preservative, as you would any other time. Let the roses sit until they are approximately halfway open but still in bud form. After you have allowed the roses to partially open, remove them from the vase, tie a string around the bottom of the stems and hang the bunch upside down in a dry place. Depending on the humidity, it will take about two weeks for the roses to completely dry out (dehydrate). You can tell if the buds are dry enough by gently squeezing them, if they are still soft you will want to let them hang another few days. When the buds are firm you can untie the stems and spray with an hardener or hair spray. Now they are ready to be arranged as you desire. If you want very small buds for your arrangement, hang the rose buds immediately and let them dry as above.

Potpourri

1. Collect petals from the rose stem as the flower reaches fully open maturity, but before they turn brown. Dry them until crisp on a screen, cookie sheet or any flat surface.
   
2. For each quart of petals you collect, add 1 tablespoon of fixative. Commonly used fixatives are dry lavender, oakmoss, sandalwood or orrisroot they are good choices and are available in chopped form at many herb and spice shops or craft stores.
   
3. Add your favorite complimentary spice. Cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, dried citrus peel and vanilla beans all add that extra special something.
   
4. Add a few drops of essential oil (distilled from plants and used in perfumes), or add your favorite perfume.
   
5. Seal your potpourri mixture in a jar allowing it to sit for approximately 10 days. To properly blend the ingredients, roll the jar gently every couple of days.
   

There are many uses for this delightful personalized potpourri. Red roses, when dried, turn a rich burgundy color and look lovely in ginger jars, candy dishs, or antique tins. Add the potpourri to the stuffing of pillows, or hang it in pomanders in your closet. Small sachets can be used in any drawer or be used as thoughtful little gifts for friends and loved ones. The best  way to make a rose potpourri sachet is to place a small handful of the fragrant mixture in a lace or linen handkerchief or any other handy fabric such as silk, and tie up the corners with a satin or lace ribbon.

Let the gift of roses you've received last throughout the year by adding delightful fragrance to every room in your house.