(For specific information about getting your own flowers preserved, see our "preserving flowers" questions and answers.)

Flowers are nature’s most extravagant ornaments. True dried flower lovers take fresh flowers a step further into the art of flower preservation.

Sometimes the variations in which we see flowers are miracles, not an ornament. During the cold, bleak winters between 1940 and 1945, when Germany occupied Holland and food was scarce, many Dutch dug their tulip bulbs out of the garden. Scrubbed clean, the bulbs were baked or boiled, then eaten to prevent starvation.

Another example of the endless opportunities for dried flowers after the flower preservation process is the rebellious young doctor, Edward Bach. He had a prosperous practice on London’s exclusive Harley Street in the 1930’s. He gave it up to develop a branch of herbal medicine. He used nonpoisonous dried flowers. After going through the flower preservation process, he created remedies for mental and emotional distress. Homeopaths still respect the Bach Flower Remedies, named for the gentle man who attacked loneliness and despair with Nature’s own prescriptions. Antibiotics can’t relieve grief, but Bach believed certain preserved flowers could. He traveled the countryside of England and Wales, gathering flowers and through his flower preservation process developed new remedies. He wrote, “And may we ever have joy and gratitude in our hearts that the Great Creator of all things, in His Love for us, has placed the herbs in the fields for His healing.”

Creating dried flower wreaths, potpourri, or dried flower arrangements, all need to go through a flower preservation process.

There are numerous methods for flower preservation. The process of freeze dried flowers is the state-of-the-art and most effective method for flower preservation today. However, to preserve flowers with their natural vivid colors, and without a great deal of work or expense, one of the easiest and least expensive flower preservation methods is sand-drying.

Sand-drying can be used as a flower preservation process to dry a wide variety of flowers, such as roses, tulips, dahlias, marigolds and snapdragons. Flowers which last only one day, like day lilies, do not dry well. Do not use sand drying as the flower preservation process for asters, azaleas, chrysanthemums, geraniums, petunias, phlox, pinks, poppies or violets. But feel free to do your own experimentation.

To prepare for the flower preservation process of sand-drying, cut the flowers at the peak of their bloom, as any imperfections will be exaggerated by drying. Pick the flowers after the moisture has completely evaporated. Make sure the stems are dry.

Prepare the flowers for this flower preservation process by reinforcing the stems and blossoms with florist's wire or with white glue. For daisy-type flowers and flowering shrubs, push a 6" piece of wire through the stem and right through the flower head; bend the end of the wire into a hook over the flower head and then pull it down, thus securing the head to the stem. For flowers such as roses and tulips which are dried face-up, cut off most of the stem except an inch or so and insert the wire as above. For flowers with many-petals, use glue instead of wire. Diluting the water-based white glue with a drip of water and using a toothpick, dab a thin coat of glue at the base of each petal, working the glue into the base of each flower to attach each petal to the base.

To dry the flowers, slowly cover them with white sand in deep, open boxes. Cup-shaped or rose-shaped flowers should be dried face-up. Make the sand deep enough to hold the flowers in an upright position, position the flower carefully and slowly pour the sand around the base of the flower, then around the sides and under and over the petals. Pour the sand evenly and slowly in order to preserve the natural shape of the blossom.

Daisy-type flowers should be dried face down in this flower preservation process. Make an even base of sand in the box and make a little dip in the sand the same shape as the flower. Hold the flower steady and carefully build up the sand around the blossom until it is fully covered.

Snapdragons, lilac, elongated flowers and flowering branches should be positioned horizontally in the sand, flowering branches face up. Carefully pour the sand around and between the flowers and into individual blooms. A soft artists' brush will help you in lifting the blossoms slightly, in this flower preservation process, as you pour the sand so that they won't be flattened by its weight.

When all the flowers are completely covered with sand put the drying box in your drying area and leave undisturbed for one to three weeks for this flower preservation process.

Removing the sand should be done very carefully, tipping the container slightly, allowing the sand to flow slowly from one corner of the box. As each flower is released from the sand, lift it gently out. It is important that the flowers are completely dry in this process of flower preservation.

If you wish to store your dried flowers for later use, seal them in airtight containers such as tins or plastic boxes sealed with masking tape, or in sealed cardboard boxes enclosed in airtight plastic bags.

After your flowers have completed this flower preservation process and are dried, spray lightly with a fixative. Some craft stores carry products specifically for spraying and "fixing" dried flowers (try Design Master Super Surface Sealer). You might try painting your dried flowers. You can take white and pink roses that have dried a muted yellow and paint the tips of the petals with a light coat of color, using diluted acrylic paint or an antiquing wash, this helps enhance the flowers in this flower preservation process.

(For specific information about getting your own flowers preserved, see our "preserving flowers" questions and answers.)