Rose Petal Projects: Crystallized Petals, Rose Water, Potpourri & More

Summer's glorious roses offer sensory delights beyond the garden. Here are scentsational projects using pesticide-free petals (never florist/supermarket roses).

Crystallized Rose Petals

Wash, pat dry, trim bitter white bases. Coat with whisked egg white and fine sugar (brush or sprinkle). Dry on waxed paper. Decorate cakes, pastries, ice cream.

Rose Water

Simmer petals from 3-4 roses in 1 pint water until transparent—don't boil. Cool, strain, press petals for maximum extraction. Refrigerate in spray bottle. Cooling facial mist lasts a week+.

Dried Rose Petals

Pick fully open roses mid-morning (after dew). Separate petals, dry on paper towels in airy shade. Add essential rose oil for room fragrance or craft projects. Mix with dried lavender in muslin bags for scented baths. Note: Avoid essential oils if pregnant or allergic.

Old-Fashioned Potpourri

Mix dried scented roses with: knotted marjoram, lemon thyme, rosemary, lavender, powdered lemon/orange rind, dried bay leaves, bruised cloves, allspice. Stir occasionally.

Rose Quotations

"I don't know whether nice people tend to grow roses, or growing roses makes people nice." —Roland A. Browne

"And I will make thee beds of roses / And a thousand fragrant posies." —Christopher Marlowe

"It is the month of June, / The month of leaves and roses..." —Nathaniel Parker Willis

"I know a bank where the wild thyme blows... / With sweet musk-roses and with eglantine." —Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream

—Colleen Moulding, Copyright 2001