This fact sheet describes briefly factors involved in collecting and preserving dried plant materials for making arrangements

South Dakota State University, Cooperative Extension

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South Dakota State University Open PRAIRIE: Open Public Research Access Institutional Repository and Information Exchange SDSU Extension Fact Sheets SDSU Extension 1967 Plant Materials for Dried Arrangements: Collecting and Preserving Cooperative Extension South Dakota State University Follow this and additional works at: https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/extension_fact Recommended Citation South Dakota State University, Cooperative Extension, "Plant Materials for Dried Arrangements: Collecting and Preserving" (1967). SDSU Extension Fact Sheets. 923. https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/extension_fact/923 This Fact Sheet is brought to you for free and open access by the SDSU Extension at Open PRAIRIE: Open Public Research Access Institutional Repository and Information Exchange. It has been accepted for inclusion in SDSU Extension Fact Sheets by an authorized administrator of Open PRAIRIE: Open Public Research Access Institutional Repository and Information Exchange. For more information, please contact michael.biondo@sdstate.edu. FS 343 FS 343 ~ Arrangements of dried Aowers and other plant materials are becoming more and more popular. Dry mater ials properly used in arrangements provide satisfactory and pleasing decorations for the home. Making and using dried arrangements involves three steps: I) seeking and finding materials 2) drying and treating materials 3) designing and creating arrangements This fact sheet describes brieAy factors involved in collecting and preserving dried plant materials for making arrangements. MATERIALS TO USE There are endless possibilities in the plant mater­ials that can be collected for use in dried arrange­ments. Plant stems, branches, leaves, flowe r heads, and seed pods are some of the plant parts that can be used effectively. Remember-it is important that p lant material be collected for preservation or dry­ing when it is in the best possible condition. Garden Aowers that can be used are Strawflowers (Helichrysum), Globe Amaranth (Gomphrena). Acroclinium ( H elipterum), Honesty (Lunaria), Statice (Limonium), Cockscomb (Celos ia), Golden Ageratum (Lonas), and Yarrow (Achillea). Appropriate garden· fo liages include Gray Ar­temisias (sages), oak branches, canna, cedar, and juniper. Some shrubs such as Cotoneaster can be treated by the glycerin-water method with good results. Interesting seed pods that can be used are Cata\-' pa, Locust, Kentucky Coffee Tree, sumac, ever­green, cones, gourds, squaw corn and husks, cereal grains, castor beans, Oriental poppies, Bittersweet, rose hips, Hydrangea, Peony, Alyssum, Saxatile (miniature), and okra (vegetable). There is a wide select ion of grasses, grains, :rnd branches availab le. These materials can be used for filler and framework of the arrangement. Collect them in their prime. Wild plant materials that can be utilized in dry arrangements include cattails, swamp grasses, sumac, milkweed pods, thistles, mullein, curly dock, yarrow, boneset, and san<lburs. If colors are to be retained, plant materials must be picked when perfectly fresh. Collect materials when they reach their p rime condition. Allow about two weeks for the drying process. A Jim attic with free air circulation is a good drying place. Small bunches of flowers of the same color can be tied toget her for storage; hang the bunches head down in a dry, airy place until ready for use. Strip foliages from the flower stems before tying and drying unless they are to be kept for use as a part of future arrangements. Flowers dry best in sum­mer when it is hot and arid. W hen in doubt about drying a certain flower, try a few before drying larger quantities. Fasten grasses and grains toget her in bunches at the stem ends, and hang head down. Store dried branches and vines where they will not be broken or destroyed before being used. When on nature hikes, watch for interesting pieces of driftwood to add to your collection. Store seed pods in boxes or drawers until ready for use. COVER DRYING Another method that may be used in drying delicate flowers is to place them in a mixture of one part clean, builder's sand and one part borax powder. The mixture should be absolutely dry. Corn meal and sil ica gel also can be used. Place a layer of the drying material in a box or other container. Then place the Rowers upside 1lown in the box, and cover by gently sifting addi­tion:11 amounts of m:1terial over them; stems need not be covered. Store the boxes of covered flowers in a dark, cool closet for two weeks. The Aowers can then be removed and the excess material brushed off w ith a soft brush. Flowers which dry well with this method are bleeding heart, candytuft, daisies, delphinium, glox­in ia, lilac, lily-of-the-va lley, marigolds, pansies, snap­dragons, pom-pom chrysanthemums, stocks, violets, roses, and z innias. PRESERVING FOLIAGE In some it is desirable to use other treat­ments than to preserve plan t materials for winter bouquets. For freshly collected foliage mater­ial a water-glycerin solution can be used as a pre­servative. This preservation process is accomplished by the plant leaves absorbing the water-glycerin solution. The formula. consists of one part glycerin to two parts water. Remove lower leaves of the branches and split or smash the stems in order to increase the area and rate of absorption. Branches should remain in solu­tion until the desired color and texture is attained; this may be one to three weeks. Then store the foliage material in a dry place for later use. For ivy and other vine-type foliage use a solution of one part glycerin to one part water. Submerge vines in the solution. Glycerin gives a smooth, satiny look to most leaves. Many leaves change colors during the process of absorption, but through experience the selection of various degrees of color can be maae depending on the leaves and rhe length of time left in solution. Most materials preserved with glycerin-water solution keep indefinitely. Glycerin is expensive, but the solution can be saved and used over and over. Glycerin is available at most drug stores. CONTAINERS Containers or holders for dried arrangements may be of basketry, brass, copper, pewter, pottery, or other appropriate material. Since water is not required for these arrangements, water-tight con­tainers for support are not necessary. If it is desired to use a few fresh flowers, small bottles, balloons, or Aoral tubes can be used as a water holder; they should, however, be well concealed. Pin holders fastened with florists clay can be used to support plant materials in a low container. Be sure both container and holders are dry, though, before attempting to set the holder in place. To support dried plant materials in a tall con­tainer, fill the container with sand and top with clay. Stems can then be pushed through the clay into the sand. Do not overlook styrofoam, small mesh wire, and other handy supporting materials when selecting mechanical aids for designing dried arrangements. ARRANGING The basic principles of design for fresh-flower arrangements apply to dried-flower arrangements as well. The two main types are line arrangement and mass arrangement. In developing arrangements of either type, give attention to the fo llowing princi­ples: design-planned form or shape of the composi­tion scale-size relationship of the parts of the com­pos1t1on balance-creates impression of being stable harmony-all parts of composition are "in tune" focus-the center of attention of the composition rhythm-the feeling of morion in a composition J accent-emphasis in a particular area in the compos1t1on repetition- repeating one or more elements such as line, form, or color in a composition unity-the "fitting-togetherness" of all elements which make up a composition The satisfaction received and the enjoyment of experiencing a bit of creative artistry will repay many-fold the time and effort spent in hunting, col­lecting, clry-ing, preserving, and storing the plant materials needed for designing dried arrangements. Local libraries, garden clubs, gardening maga­zines, county extension service offices, and the Horti­culture-Forestry Department at South Dakota State University, Brookings, are sources of more specific information on collecting and preserving plant materials. See pages 3 and 4 for a list of appropriate plant materials and how they should be treated for use in dried arrangements. USEFUL MATERIALS cutting knife oasis ("unspillob le water") borax or silica gel clean, sharp, dry masonry sand glycerin styrofoom boxes of va rious sizes florist's wire florist's cloy florist's tape cotton packing dryrox or other drying agent mystik tape Elmer's glue-all saran wrap containers of various shapes and sizes alcohol shellac REFERENCES J Plant Materials Suitable for Use in Dried Arrangements The key designates suggested treatment: A-Air-dry B - Borax(½) and sand (1/3) mixture or similar materials G - Glycerin(½) and water(½) mixture P-Pressing S - Shellac (½) and alcohol (½) mixture Acrolinium Ageratum Amaranth, Globe Artemesia Asparagus Aster Baby's Breath (a) (Gypsophila) (b) Barberry Bells of Ireland (a) (bl Bittersweet (a) (b) Blazing Star (liatris) Brown-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia triloba) Canna leaves Cat-Tail (a) (b) Chrysanthemum Clematis Cockscomb '-- Corn (decorative) Ears (a) Tassels (b) Curled Dock Daffodil Dahlia Daisy (Glorioso) Delphinium Euonymus (a) (bl Feverfew Forget-Me-Not Forsythia Gerbera Globe Thistle Goldenglow Goldenrod Gourds Grains \.,_,, Grasses Hollyhock Hydrangea Ivy Knotweed A B-4days A A-7-lOdays S - Sook & drip dry B-Glue petals A-Tame B-Wild,3doys G-lOdoys A-mature B - Young, 4 days A S-Soak & drip dry A B-4days G-50%-50%,5-ldoy, A s B-7-15 days B-4days A - Remove foliage A A A - Upright in container B -3days B B-5 days B -6days G-5-9 days S-forberries P - with newspapers B-5 days B -3days B-6 days B-5 days A B-4 days A A& S if desired A A B-5-6 days B -3-4 days G - 50%-50% soak Everlasting Strawflowers. Cut when mature, chaffy everlasting. Gray foliage. Red berries. 5-10 days, fragile. light and airy, may be difficult. Reinforce stems with wire. Spiny. Glue bells to stalks Vine, cut when fruits are colored. Holds fruit. Spike-form. Usew'restems. Brighten center with shoe polish. Moy have to support leaves with wire and Mystick tape on backside. Young for green. Mature for brown; S prevents shattering. Glue underside of petals to calyx. Glue sepals to calyx, must be stored absolutely dry. Cut feathery type as they mature. Cut crested types before seed set. Pull bock husks. Upright or upside dawn depending on effect desired. A weed. Spike form. Green in spring, beige in summer, brown in foll. Remove natural stems and use wire. Bend flower head at right angles to wire stem when used. Larger -10 days, Oworf -6 days; Store with care, keep dry. 18 gauge wire stems should be used. Spike form-Blue. Time varies with varieties. Drip-dry. Brush on olive or mineral oil before pressing, lay flat as possible. Cover with heads down. Group several stems together and bind to heavy wire with floral tape for use in arrangements. Establish curves before drying if desired Wire stems. Cut before fully opened. Use natural stems, dry in box with support for necks of flowers. Cut before flowers mature at tips. Prick small hole in each end to hasten drying. Tie in sheafs, hang upside down. Tie in sheafs, hang upside down. Insert wire stems before drying; dry face down. Some are also air dried when mature. Moy be best to treat leaves separately and assemble on wire stem. Cut when flowers hove turned red, may shatter. Good for lines. 3 Larkspur Lilac Lily Lily-of-the-Valley Marigold Milkweed Pods Mullien Onion Pansy Peony Rose Rubber Plant Russian Olive Salvia (Scarlet sage) Silver leaf Poplar Snapdragon Snow-On-The-Mountain Spirea Stock Strawflower Tansy Tulip Violet Yarrow Zinnia A B-5-7days B-4-6 days B-6-7days B-3days B- l0doys A B !-7 days A !-5 days G-50%-50%, l0days G-6weeks B-4 days A G-50%-50%,3day, B-8 days B-6-7days B-4 days !-6doys A - stems upright Press leaves in fall A B-6days !-3days B-Sdays B-5-6 days 8-7-Sdoys Hold color well. Hold color well. Keep dry. Fill each floret with mixture. :~t c:;_th wire stems before drying. August is the best time Cut young pods when pale green, split open and remove.._../ silk. Lining is yellow. Loy flat, massage daily lo prevent twists in leaves; put cot­ton or shredded wax paper between leaves. Stalks curve, strengthen with pliable sticks. Reinforce stems with wire. Usew·re stems. Buds also useful. Hang blossoms singly May have to glue petals; keep dry. Press or lay leaves flat. Soak whole leaf. Leaves are silvery beneath and deep golden above. Flowers retain red color. Hang upside down in late summer. Darkens leaves somewhat. Rother difficult Need a deep box, stems need wire reinforcement. Can leave foliage on Spirea Vonhouttei. Use natural stalk. Cut flowers when Vi to¾ open, insert wire stems. Practically indestructible. Cut fruit when they are green or later when red. Brilliant red. Cut when blossoms are mature. Moy hove to glue petals together. Insert wire stems, group several together when used. J Hong separately. Preferred method With wire stems. With natural stems; red does not dry well. l"ued1<1lurtheranceotCooper,1,veEx1ens,oowo,k,ActsofMay8ar'ldJune30.1914,,ncv0pera1,oow1thlheUSOAHolhsOHalLD1rector01Cooperat,veExtens,onServ,ce,South E"'ployerateun,vers11y. 0rook,r>gs Educa1,onal progrftms and matenalsottered "'''\ue: -6-JM-- ;_JM_ _ ,,ep,-lnted ai esllmate<I ceots each-J-79mb-J A7. 3_7 7 77 000 6 741 

Plant Materials for Dried Arrangements: Collecting and Preserving

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Plant Materials for Dried Arrangements: Collecting and Preserving

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