Best Way to Dry Flowers for Maximum Color Retention

Drying preserves garden beauty beyond the season, though no flower retains full fresh color. For best results: cut just before fully open, bundle, and hang upside down in a dry, dark, warm location. Dark locations prevent light bleaching. Blue and yellow flowers retain color well air-dried; pink fades.

Top Picks for Colorful Dried Flowers

• Globe amaranth (Gomphrena)
• Lavender (Lavandula)
• Cockscomb (Celosia)
• Statice (Limonium)
• Strawflower (Helichrysum)
• Annual salvia
• Heather (Erica)
• Baby's breath (Gypsophila)
• Cattail (Typha)
• Goldenrod (Solidago)

No chemical product enhances dried flower color. Silica gel preserves quick-drying flowers and tightly packed petals (roses, peonies).