Dry pressing flowers is a beautiful way to preserve the delicate beauty of nature, and it allows you to create unique crafts, art pieces, or even use the flowers in various DIY projects like bookmarks, cards, or decorations. However, not all flowers are suitable for pressing—some flowers dry better than others. Below is a Flowerbee HK Florist guide to the best flowers for dry pressing, their characteristics, and tips for achieving the best results.
1. Pansies (Viola spp.)
- Why They’re Great: Pansies are one of the best flowers for pressing due to their flat shape, vibrant colors, and sturdy petals. They retain their color well and press easily.
- Pressing Tips: Use fresh, mature pansies for the best results. Press them between parchment paper and leave them for a few weeks to dry completely.
- Ideal Uses: These bright, colorful flowers are perfect for greeting cards, bookmarks, or framed artwork.
2. Lavender (Lavandula spp.)
- Why They’re Great: Lavender’s slender stems and delicate flowers make it an ideal candidate for pressing. Its fragrance also adds a lovely touch to your dried flowers.
- Pressing Tips: If you press lavender sprigs, make sure to lay them flat, as their shape can make it harder to press evenly. Place the flowers between absorbent paper and press gently.
- Ideal Uses: Lavender flowers work well in crafts such as sachets, potpourri, and dried flower arrangements.
3. Daisies (Bellis perennis)
- Why They’re Great: Daisies are flat, thin, and have a simple, symmetrical shape that presses beautifully. Their cheerful appearance also makes them a popular choice for a variety of crafts.
- Pressing Tips: To get the best results, ensure the petals are spread out flat when you press them. Daisies tend to press evenly and retain their shape well.
- Ideal Uses: Use pressed daisies in greeting cards, framed art, or as decorative accents on journals.
4. Violets (Viola spp.)
- Why They’re Great: Violets are small, delicate, and have a beautiful range of colors from purple to white. They press exceptionally well and hold their color once dried.
- Pressing Tips: Press violets when they are fully open. Ensure to flatten the petals evenly before pressing.
- Ideal Uses: Violets are excellent for intricate designs in cards, scrapbooks, and as embellishments for other crafts.
5. Roses (Rosa spp.)
- Why They’re Great: Roses are a timeless favorite for pressing due to their elegant, layered petals. While larger rose varieties may be more challenging, smaller, delicate roses are easier to press and hold up well.
- Pressing Tips: For the best results, pick roses just as they begin to open. Trim the petals from the flower to press individually or press the whole flower.
- Ideal Uses: Roses are perfect for creating high-end greeting cards, framed art, or as wedding keepsakes.
6. Marigolds (Tagetes spp.)
- Why They’re Great: Marigolds are vibrant, easy to press, and dry well without losing their color. Their bold yellow, orange, or red hues make them popular for floral crafts.
- Pressing Tips: Marigolds can be pressed whole or by individual petals. Due to their strong color and resilience, they tend to keep their shape and hue well.
- Ideal Uses: Marigolds can be used in bookmarks, decorative arrangements, or flower crowns.
7. Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus)
- Why They’re Great: Sunflowers, particularly the smaller varieties, make a wonderful pressed flower due to their large size and bright color.
- Pressing Tips: Use smaller sunflowers for better pressing results. Lay them flat and press them between multiple layers of paper to avoid wrinkles.
- Ideal Uses: Sunflowers are excellent for creating large designs or as a striking feature in framed art or wall decor.
8. Lilacs (Syringa spp.)
- Why They’re Great: Lilacs are beautiful flowers with small petals that hold their color and shape well when pressed. Their strong fragrance is a bonus.
- Pressing Tips: Choose lilac blooms that are in full bloom but not overripe. Press them flat to ensure the petals retain their shape.
- Ideal Uses: Lilacs are perfect for elegant, romantic designs in cards, framed artwork, or wedding projects.
9. Gerbera Daisies (Gerbera jamesonii)
- Why They’re Great: Gerbera daisies are vibrant and come in a variety of colors. Their wide, flat petals make them perfect for pressing, and they hold their color well.
- Pressing Tips: Ensure the petals are spread out flat. Gerbera daisies may require more time to dry fully due to their thicker petals.
- Ideal Uses: Gerbera daisies can be used for bright, colorful designs on greeting cards, artwork, and bookmarks.
10. Chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum spp.)
- Why They’re Great: Chrysanthemums have a distinct layered petal structure, making them an excellent flower to press for adding texture to your floral designs.
- Pressing Tips: Choose compact blooms or individual petals to press. Lay them flat, ensuring they don’t overlap.
- Ideal Uses: Chrysanthemums work well in intricate crafts such as framed flower art or jewelry.
11. Sweet Peas (Lathyrus odoratus)
- Why They’re Great: Sweet peas have delicate, thin petals that press beautifully, with lovely pastel colors. They preserve their form and color when pressed.
- Pressing Tips: Press sweet pea flowers immediately after picking them to avoid wilting. Use absorbent paper to press them evenly.
- Ideal Uses: Sweet peas are perfect for delicate and romantic projects, such as greeting cards, bookmarks, or as an embellishment on scrapbooks.
12. Hollyhocks (Alcea spp.)
- Why They’re Great: Hollyhocks have large, wide flowers that make for dramatic pressed pieces. Their unique shape and vibrant colors make them stand out in any collection.
- Pressing Tips: Ensure that the flowers are fully opened before pressing. You may need to press hollyhocks between several layers of absorbent paper to ensure they remain flat.
- Ideal Uses: Hollyhocks are great for large-scale designs, framed art, or as unique touches in decorative projects.
Best Practices for Pressing Flowers
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Pick Fresh Flowers: Always pick flowers that are fresh and fully opened. Flowers that are too young or overripe may not press well.
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Press Quickly: After picking, press flowers immediately. The longer flowers sit before pressing, the more likely they are to wilt or lose color.
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Use Absorbent Paper: Place the flowers between absorbent paper (like parchment or blotting paper) and ensure they are not overlapping. This allows for even drying and prevents color bleeding.
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Weighting Down: Use a flower press or place a heavy book on top of the flowers. Make sure the flowers are evenly spaced out to avoid crushing them.
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Wait for Full Drying: Depending on the type of flower, it may take from one to several weeks for the flowers to dry completely. Be patient, as improper drying can result in brittle or discolored flowers.
Dry pressing flowers is a wonderful way to preserve the fleeting beauty of nature, and selecting the right flowers is crucial to achieving the best results. Whether you are looking to make intricate designs for cards, art, or gifts, these flowers offer vibrant colors, textures, and durability when pressed. By following the tips in this guide, you can create stunning pressed flower pieces that capture the beauty of the natural world for years to come.
