Pressing flowers is a timeless craft that preserves blooms in their two-dimensional beauty. Success depends largely on choosing flowers that retain their color and shape when dried. Here’s everything you need to know about selecting and pressing the best flowers.
What Makes a Flower Good for Pressing
The ideal pressing candidates share certain characteristics. Flowers with naturally flat faces or thin petals dry quickly and evenly, maintaining their color and form. Blooms with low moisture content are less likely to mold or brown during the pressing process. Single-layer petals work better than thick, multi-petaled varieties, which can trap moisture and rot before drying completely.
Top Flowers for Pressing
Pansies and Violas are perhaps the most reliable flowers for pressing. Their flat faces and thin petals dry beautifully, and they retain vibrant purples, yellows, and oranges remarkably well. Press them face-down for best results.
Cosmos offer delicate, papery petals that press into translucent beauty. Their simple structure means they dry evenly, and colors ranging from white to deep magenta hold well. The feathery foliage also presses nicely.
Daisies and Black-Eyed Susans are excellent for beginners. Their flat, symmetrical shape makes them foolproof. White daisies may yellow slightly, but the effect is often charming. Remove thick centers if desired, or press them separately.
Larkspur and Delphinium are spectacular for their intense blues and purples, colors notoriously difficult to preserve. Their small florets can be pressed individually along the stem or removed for standalone use.
玫瑰 require special treatment but are worth the effort. Choose roses just beginning to open, remove the bulky base, and press petals individually. Deep reds often turn darker, while pinks and yellows hold their hue better.
Ferns and Queen Anne’s Lace provide excellent structural elements. Ferns press into perfect silhouettes, while Queen Anne’s Lace creates intricate, lacy patterns. Both dry quickly and remain flexible for arranging.
Hydrangeas are surprisingly successful despite their clustered form. Individual florets separate easily and press into four-petaled stars. Colors shift as they dry—blues may turn greenish, while pinks often deepen.
Buttercups and Celandine maintain brilliant yellows that brighten any pressed arrangement. Their glossy petals flatten well, though they’re delicate once dried.
Verbena, Statice, and Baby’s Breath are almost foolproof. These everlasting flowers were practically made for drying, keeping their color and form with minimal effort.
Flowers to Avoid
Thick, fleshy flowers like tulips, lilies, and daffodils contain too much moisture and tend to brown or mold. Succulents won’t work at all. Heavily layered flowers like carnations, peonies, and double roses are challenging for beginners, though individual petals can be pressed. Very delicate flowers like poppies can work but crumble easily.
Harvesting Tips
Pick flowers mid-morning after dew has dried but before the day’s heat wilts them. Choose blooms just fully opened or slightly before peak, as they’ll continue opening slightly during pressing. Avoid flowers with brown spots, tears, or pest damage. Flowers picked at their prime will give you the most vibrant results.
Basic Pressing Method
The traditional book method works well for most flowers. Place blooms between sheets of absorbent paper (parchment, blotting paper, or even coffee filters) inside a heavy book. Space flowers so they don’t touch, and use multiple sections of the book. Stack additional books on top for weight. Leave undisturbed for two to four weeks, checking occasionally for moisture.
For faster results, use a flower press with adjustable screws to apply even pressure. Change the papers every few days initially to remove moisture and prevent mold.
Preserving Color
Colors fade over time, but you can slow the process. Press flowers in a dark, dry place. Once pressed, store them away from direct sunlight in acid-free paper. Avoid humidity, which can cause mold or make dried flowers limp. Blue and purple flowers are most susceptible to fading, while yellows and oranges tend to be most stable.
Beyond Traditional Flowers
Don’t overlook leaves, grasses, and herbs. Autumn leaves press beautifully, holding their colors for months. Fern fronds, Japanese maple leaves, and herb sprigs like rosemary and lavender all add texture and variety to pressed collections. Even seedheads and tendrils can create interesting visual elements.
Getting Started
Begin with forgiving flowers like pansies, daisies, or cosmos. Press more than you think you’ll need, as some inevitably tear or discolor. Experiment with different stages of bloom and various colors of the same species. Keep notes on what works well in your climate and conditions.
With patience and the right flowers, you’ll build a collection of preserved blooms perfect for cards, bookmarks, framed art, or simply admiring as miniature botanical specimens. The key is choosing flowers suited to pressing and harvesting them at just the right moment.
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