Strawflower should be harvested when 2-3 layers of petals have unfolded but before the flower has fully opened. The stems can be left long enough to bunch together, and the bundles can be hung upside-down in a dry, dim place for a few weeks. Too much sunlight can cause the colors to fade.
Other plants that dry well include larkspur, celosia, globe amaranth, eucalyptus, cress, hydrangea, poppies (pictured), and ornamental grasses. These can also be bundled and hung upside down, as they’ll hold the shape they’ve dried in and can be taken down to repurpose once they’re firm to the touch.
The benefits of drying flowers extend beyond preserving the color of your summer garden for future dreary days. Saving your own flowers for future dry bouquets, wreaths, and arrangements means you’ll rely less on store-bought flowers, which are often packaged unsustainably and have traveled long distances to reach your kitchen counter. Dried flowers also provide fantastic and tactile natural craft material for at-home learning with kids and families.
While summer abundance continues to wow us all, it’s never too early to plan ahead for drying, preserving, pickling and canning projects. Stay tuned for more content on preserving garden abundance for the months ahead, and as always…
Happy growing!
