ubereglu Posted July 29, 2013 Share Posted July 29, 2013 Hi, I have been entrusted to make the table centrepieces for my sister's wedding in November and I want to create something using dried flower seedheads and wondered if anyone could give any tips on how to dry them out, (eg angelica/cow parsley seedheads) or if anyone knew of any good suppliers for them. In particular I'd probably be after thistles and poppies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted July 29, 2013 Share Posted July 29, 2013 I used some dried cow parsley and hop garlands as part of the decoration for my daughter's wedding. I just hung up the cow parsley in the garage which is cool and dry; the hop garland came from the farm already dried by the farmer's wife who sold them for a hobby. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted July 30, 2013 Author Share Posted July 30, 2013 Anyone know about hydrangeas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted July 30, 2013 Author Share Posted July 30, 2013 Which ones air-dry well? I am thinking of hydrangeas, cow parsley, teasles and anything else which looks pretty and I can lay my hands on. How long does it take and what are the ideal conditions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 I used ones that were dried on the plant. May be a bit late in the year though now. When is the wedding? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted August 1, 2013 Author Share Posted August 1, 2013 I used ones that were dried on the plant. May be a bit late in the year though now. When is the wedding? November, so I might just have time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 1, 2013 Share Posted August 1, 2013 fennel is lovely and smells of licorice too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 Love in a mist are nice - i hang mine in the garage and spray gold at Christmas (nigella is other name ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted August 11, 2013 Share Posted August 11, 2013 I've just been given some dried honesty which is very pretty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 Echinacea look good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 I let teasels go dry on the plant so the birds can eat the seeds (a favourite with small finches) then cut them down (around Oct/Nov I think). I leave most hydrangea flowers on the plant and let them go brown, cutting them in February down to a leaf bud - this is the best way to protect the plant over winter and of producing the most flowers the next season. I also cut a few of the biggest/best coloured blooms whenever I feel like it and put them indoors in a vase in a cool, dry place without any water. They only very slowly loose their colour, spending ages looking all sort of 'faded glory' But my favorite plant is the allium, particularly christophii and schubertii. The former is easy to grow, with huge blooms and quite cheap. It flowers in May, I leave the flower to go brown and then cut it off sometime in the autumn, whenever I remember, its ready to use. I always have some sprayed gold for Xmas. Schubertii is completely mad - try googling it. The bulbs are more pricey but it gets the same treatment. You could also do poppies - easy and very pretty. Leave the seedheads on till autumn, and cut. You can do it before, you might be lucky and get the seedhead whilst it is pinky/purple, but I am lazy and tend to do everything just once when I am tidying the garden in Sept/Oct and at least I know the pods are properly dry and will keep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
