Drying Flowers: A Gentle Art for Mid Summer
As summer blooms are at their peak, now is the perfect time to preserve a bit of the season by drying flowers. This week, I’m sharing my favorite blooms to dry and a few tips to help you make the most of your late summer garden.
I love gathering flowers not just from the cutting garden, but from the vegetable garden too. It's important to pick the flowers whilst they are in full bloom and at their most vibrant. I like to use flowers that will have interesting structures when dried.
Tips
Pick on a dry day and ensure stems are completely dry to avoid mould during the drying process.
Prep the stems by removing any excess foliage and gather the flowers in bunches.
Tie them tightly at the base .
Suspend the bunches from their cut stem end in a dark, cool, well-ventilated place (a shed or spare room works beautifully). This helps retain colour and shape.
Let them dry for 2–3 weeks, or until they feel crisp and papery to the touch.
My Favourite Flowers to Dry
Onion Blooms - Tall and architectural, their globe-like heads dry into striking, sculptural forms. Perfect for standing arrangements or wreaths.
Dill Flowers - With their delicate yellow spokes, dried dill adds a soft, wild texture to displays
Fennel Flowers - Similar in shape to dill, but often with a deeper hue. Their gentle aniseed scent lingers even after drying.
Alchemilla Mollis (Lady’s Mantle) - Frothy and romantic, alchemilla holds its shape beautifully. Hang in bunches and enjoy the soft chartreuse tones that last well into autumn.
Chamomile & Lavender – Both delicate and fragrant, these two classics are ideal for smaller bunches, sachets, or as accents in wreaths.
Once dried, display your floral creations in ceramic jugs, weave them into wreaths, or simply tie with twine and hang on a wall. They bring a subtle, nostalgic charm to your home and serve as a gentle reminder of summer lasting well into the colder months.
