The quickest and easiest method for preserving flowers and foliage is to air dry them. Collect most materials when the flowers are fully opened and at their peak color. Remove excess leaves from the stems, tie in small bunches, and hang upside down in a warm, dry, dark area for 1 to 2 weeks. The faster they dry, the more color they will retain. Store dried materials in covered boxes until ready for use. To prevent insect damage, put a small piece of an insecticide strip in an envelope marked "Poison" and include it in the box.

The following flowers and foliage can be easily air dried by hanging upside down.

Achillea filipendulina (Yarrow)
Aconitum
Acroclinium - pick as soon as buds show color
Alchemilla
Amaranthus
Ammobium
Artemesia - cut in late summer as flower spikes develop
Astilbe
Baby's Breath (Gypsophila)
Bells of Ireland - allow several weeks for drying; color may fade to beige
Carthamus
Celosia
Centaurea
Craspedia
Delphinium
Echinops
Eryngium
Eucalyptus foliage
Golden Ageratum
Gomphrena
Heather
Hydrangea
Lamb's Ear foliage
Larkspur
Lavender
Liatris
Pentzia
Rhodanthe - pick as soon as buds show color
Rose buds
Salvia - perennial types
Santolina
Solidago (Golden Rod)
Statice sinuata (Florist Statice)
Strawflower - pick when half opened; can be dried on florist wires inserted into the flower head
Tansy
Xeranthemum - pick as soon as buds show color

Some plant materials will dry by simply placing them upright in an empty vase. They have sturdy stems that will remain straight without hanging them upside down.

Allium - flower or seed pod
Belamcanda berries
Chinese Lantern
Crepis seed head
Daylily seed pods
Fibigia
German Statice
Globe Artichoke
Larkspur seed pods
Lotus seed pods
Martynia seed pods
Money Plant - gently remove husks to reveal shiny disks
Nigella seed pods
Okra pods
Ornamental Grass seed heads
Poppy seed pods
Scabiosa Ping Pong
Sea Lavender (Statice latifolia)
Statice suworowii, perezii, & aurea Sahin's Gold
Talinum (Jewels of Opar) seed heads

The following flowers may give better results by standing the stems upright in a vase containing 2 inches of water. The flowers will dry naturally as the water is absorbed.

Baby's Breath
Bells of Ireland
Delphinium
Hydrangea

Flowers that do not retain their shape when air dried can be preserved by drying them in washed sand, silica gel, or borax. The following flowers and leaves are just a few that are easily preserved by this method.

Achillea Debutante & Summer Pastels
Boxwood Stems
Camellia
Carnation
Dusty Miller leaves
Ivy leaves
Leatherleaf fern
Marigold
Peony flowers & leaves
Rose flowers & leaves - cut flowers when 2/3-3/4 open
Zinnia

Collect flowers and foliage after the dew has evaporated and they are completely dry. Select flowers that are at their peak color and size.

 For most flowers, cut the stems to a length of 1 to 2 inches and add a florist's wire to reinforce them. Pour about 2 inches of the drying agent into the bottom of a shoe box or tray and place the flowers face up. Gently sift the drying agent around each flower until it is completely covered, being careful not to distort its shape.

Flowers like Achillea that have a flat flower head should be placed upside down in the box or tray and then covered with the drying agent. The stems can be left at the desired length.

Place foliage horizontally in the box or tray in several layers, covering each layer with the drying agent.

Place the prepared boxes or trays in a warm area for 2 to 3 weeks. Once the flowers are fully dry, gently pour the drying agent into another box and carefully remove the dried flowers and foliage. Clean them with a small, soft brush, and spray with a clear acrylic or a clear floral spray to protect them from dust and humidity.