SACRAMENTO, CA — For centuries, pressing flowers has remained a cherished folk art, offering a way to preserve ephemeral natural beauty into durable, two-dimensional keepsakes. Recently, horticultural specialists underscored that success in this delicate craft hinges primarily on selecting botanicals with specific physical attributes, namely low moisture content and thin structural components. Mastering the selection and handling process allows artists and hobbyists to attain vibrant, long-lasting results ideal for framing or decorative applications.
Selecting Superior Blooms for Pressing
The ideal candidates for flat-pressing are those that dry rapidly and uniformly. Flowers with naturally flat faces or single, papery petals dramatically reduce the risk of trapped humidity, which can lead to browning or mold. Avoiding moisture-heavy varieties—such as thick-petaled roses, fleshy tulips, or lilies—is crucial, especially for beginners.
“The lower the moisture content, the easier the flower will dry before it can degrade,” explains expert botanist Dr. Eleanor Vance. “Thick centers or multi-layered petals, like those found on peonies or double carnations, hold excessive water and require painstaking disassembly to dry properly.”
Top-Performing Flowers for Preservation
A select group of flowers consistently yields superior pressed results, maintaining both shape and color stability post-drying:
- Pansies and Violas: Considered the gold standard due to their flat faces and brilliant retention of yellows, purples, and oranges. Pressing them face-down ensures the best structural integrity.
- Cosmos: These blooms feature delicate, single-layer petals that dry quickly, resulting in almost translucent displays. Their simple structure minimizes uneven drying.
- Daisies and Black-Eyed Susans: Excellent choices for novices, offering symmetrical, foolproof shapes. While white petals might develop a slight antique yellow tint, the overall charm remains high.
- Larkspur and Delphinium: These are highly prized for their intense blues and indigos—colors notoriously difficult to stabilize. Beginners can press individual florets for vibrant accents.
- Everlasting Varieties: Flowers like Statice, Verbena, and Baby’s Breath are naturally low in moisture and maintain their form and color with minimal effort, making them nearly fail-proof.
To incorporate structural elements, experts recommend using ferns, which press into perfect silhouettes, and Queen Anne’s Lace, which creates intricate, lacy architectural patterns. Even individual hydrangea florets, separated from the cluster, press into successful four-petaled stars, though their colors are prone to shifting (e.g., blues may acquire a greenish hue).
Important Harvesting and Preservation Tips
Achieving vibrant colors starts with proper harvesting. Blooms should be picked mid-morning, following the evaporation of morning dew, but before the heat of the day causes wilting. Selecting flowers that are just fully open, or slightly prior to their peak maturity, is essential, as they will continue to open marginally under pressure.
To initiate the drying process, the traditional book method remains effective. Flowers should be placed between sheets of absorbent materials—such as blotting paper or parchment—inside a heavy book. Key to success is applying even, consistent pressure and ensuring adequate airflow by spacing the blooms.
Once pressed, preserving color integrity requires minimizing exposure to degradation factors. Pressed flowers should be stored in acid-free paper and kept away from direct sunlight, which causes rapid fading, particularly in blues and purples. Additionally, maintaining a low-humidity environment is vital to prevent remolding or limpness in the delicate dried specimens.
By prioritizing flat structure and low natural moisture at the time of harvest, enthusiasts can successfully transform delicate garden flowers into lasting botanical art, ensuring the tradition of pressed specimens continues to flourish. Hobbyists are encouraged to begin by experimenting with forgiving varieties like pansies and daisies before moving on to more complex, bulky blooms.