Episode #504 - A Moment in Time (Dried & Preserved Flowers)
Episode #504 A Moment in Bloom (Dried and Preserved Flowers)
Today on Life In Bloom, we’re exploring Flowers that have been Dried or Preserved, including tips on drying flowers at home, Dried Hydrangeas arranged 3 ways, with our friend Kim Carson, a lush wreath, and a recipe for Lavender Bitters.
“Love is like dried flowers sometimes. Even though you watch the petals shrink and change colour, you cannot help treasuring them” ― Munia Khan
Drying Flowers
Flowers featured in this project: Groflower”s Roses, Camflor’s Limonium, Eufloria Flower’s Spray Rose, Golden State Farm’s Larkspur, Mellano & Company’s Agonis
J shows how to dry flowers starting with Fresh Flowers. When flowers start to get ‘JUST’ past their prime- it’s the perfect time to arrange them for drying. Hanging bundles of Flowers provides the best result for preservation- through drying- and J shows you how to prepare several types of flowers- from Roses to Foliage.
Most Flowers and Foliage will not provide as Vibrant a color as when they are fresh- they tend to get a more Muted color or pastel shade of their former self… the only exception are darker flowers- Red and Purple mostly that will almost become black as they dry!
Dried Flowers can be used in Arrangements- or other flower crafts… including Book Marks, or in Decorative Decoupage- like frames… You can even use dried organic flowers to decorate cookies or baked goods! Be sure to watch this entire segment - and stay tuned for an arrangement made from these flowers- in a future At Home with Flowers Show on uBloom.
Here’s another method- that I found when doing my research- it’s a modern method to dry flowers quickly is to use a food dehydrator…”
https://www.gardenguides.com/112814-dry-flowers-dehydrator.html
Here’s a bit of History as well about drying flowers- https://www.gardenguides.com/85791-history-drying-flowers.html
Easy Dried Bouquet
J makes a bouquet with Pampas Grass from Zion Flowers in Colombia and other dried flowers. This is a simple hand tied technique that will give you great results- it’s fast and easy! Be sure to catch this segment- and get some ideas for creating your own bouquets of dried flowers!
Bloom 365 Tip of the Week- Flower Press- Save your Flower Moments - for the future!
J shows how to use a flower press, talks about a saving your flowers for a Moment in Time Flower Projects
• Featuring Pansies and Violas from www.GourmetSweetBotanicals.com
Featured Flower: Pampas Grass from Zion Flowers in Colombia- Visit their website here https://zionflowers.com/flowers/
– Pampas grass is a common name which may refer to any of several similar-looking, tall-growing species of grass (Wikipedia)
– Pampas grass is an attractive ornamental grass that is popular in many landscapes and also used as a cut botanical for decoration
– Pampas grass is a tall, feathery plant that produces fluffy plumes at its tips, and is used as an ornamental addition in many landscapes.
– The grass often is used dry or fresh in vase arrangements, especially during fall. It takes little time and effort to make the arrangements last and maintain their appearance.
– The botanical name is Cortaderia selloana
– The flower can be white, cream, silver, pink, and even purple at certain stages of growth.
Here’s a bit more information about Pampas Grass I found while doing my research- enjoy!
From https://www.southernliving.com/garden/grumpy-gardener/pampas-grass-is-for-swingers
Calling all garden gurus. This fall grass is making appearances in tableside floral arrangements, wreaths, and even wedding bouquets more than ever before.
Pampas grass has become increasingly famous on Instagram due as a large, boho-style backdrop that photographers can't seem to get enough of. This plant provides texture to any floral arrangement. Plus, it's affordable and extremely versatile. It can fulfill a neutral enthusiast's dreams or be the perfect fit for a farm style wedding.
Sources:How To Grow Pampas Grass https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/pampas-grass/growing-pampas-grass.html
https://www.gardenmandy.com/pampas-grass/
https://homeguides.sfgate.com/cut-pampas-grass-plume-arrangements-vases-96175.html
Dried Hydrangeas Three Ways -featuring my flower friend- Kim Carson
Flowers: Hydrangea from J’s Garden with a Glycerin process to make them permanent
Wreath - Limelight® Hydrangea (PeeGees) from J’s Garden
Garland - Endless Summer Hydrangeas from J’s Garden
Pampas Grass - Zion Flowers in Colombia
Many people have beautiful Hydrangea blooms in their yards. Hydrangeas can be dried and offer lots of opportunities for arranging and enjoying them after they have been dried…I've invited my wonderful friend Kim Carson (who also happens to be the lovely voice you hear in our title sequences here on Life in Bloom) to join me in the studio. Kim Carson is a famous radio personality and a wonderful friend- she and her mom live just up the road here in Michigan- and Kim is always ready to join me to share a fun idea, flower cocktail and of course- FLOWERS!
J demonstrates 3 different arrangements using different types of dried hydrangeas from his personal garden. Kim assists J and asks the best questions- we make a great team!
We'll create a Garland,Wreath, and Vase Arrangement – J uses a Vintage Wreath Frame- to attach the hydrangea using bind wire… he creates a garland by using a wire base- shares different methods of preserving including glycerin- be sure to watch this show to get all of J’s tips, tricks and secrets for drying and arranging flowers!
Here’s a bit more information I found when doing my research- enjoy!
https://www.thespruce.com/the-best-ways-to-dry-hydrangea-flowers-1402117
Low Glass Tray with Preserved Roses
J creates arrangement with Preserved Roses from Verdissimo- learn more about their preserved flowers on their website- https://www.verdissimo.com/en/news/preserved-roses
• Verdissimo Preserved Roses, Carnations and Kermit Button Chrysanthemums, Foxtail Fern, Hanging Amaranthus-
• Accent Décor Round Glass Bowl
This is a wonderful arrangement- and it looks like fresh flowers- and this is the next best thing... these preserved flowers from Verdissimo- are preserved in a way that makes them feel real- and they look real- yet they are preserved- this arrangement will look the same for many years- so it's a wonderful way to enjoy flowers. I had a flower friend that said that this arrangement looked like it was inspired by a petri dish- (she's a scientist) and that made me smile. I love this arrangement and the way it turned out... and that it will last for years!
Lavender Bitters Recipe for Cocktail with my flower friend Kim Carson #flowercocktailhour
My friend Kim Carson joins me to make lavender bitters the recipe is easy- and takes a little time- so we walk through that process- rather than do it LIVE... the great news is that you have lavender bitters- that are shelf stable- and you can use them to make interesting flower cocktails- learn more here!
here's another recipe I found when I was doing my research on the lavender bitters... ENJOY! https://www.aliikulalavender.com/blueberry-lavender-martini/
Recipe for Lavender Bitters
3/4 cup dried lavender 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
Zest of 1/2 an orange 1 teaspoon Honey + Vanilla Extract
5 cloves 8 ounces vodka
you'll need an Infusing vessel of choice, Fine mesh strainer, and a microplane for zesting the orange.
Wash and dry the orange. Peel the zest off with a vegetable peeler or paring knife, making sure to get the top layer only, not the bitter white pith. Place lavender, ginger, cloves, orange peel and vanilla corn syrup into your infusing vessel. Pour vodka over top and seal tightly. Let the bitters steep for 2 weeks, shaking every 2 days to distribute flavors evenly.
Place strainer over a bowl. Pour the lavender bitters over the strainer to remove the solid pieces and stop the steeping process. Pour the bitters back into your infusing vessel and seal to store. Use an eyedropper to measure out small quantities for mixing.
Now it's time for Kim and I try out a cocktail featuring the Lavender bitters... I call it the Lavender Blanc!
Lavender Blanc #flowercocktailhour Recipe
1½ parts White wine aperitif - Lillet Blanc 1 dash Lavender bitters Lavender Sprig
¾ part Blanc vermouth or Dry vermouth 3 parts Tonic water Lime garnish
INSTRUCTIONS
Stir everything (except the tonic water) with ice. Strain into an ice-filled short glass and top with tonic water. Give it a stir and garnish with a sprig of lavender or a slice of lime.
Viewer Feedback - Flower from You- featuring Swamp Gardener!
It’s time for one of my favorite things- sharing some Flower Fan Mail with you!
Today I have 2 beautiful bouquets to share with you from a viewer known as Swamp Gardener - kind of mysterious, but I love it, and I assume the flowers are from their garden…
I love this combination of Cosmos- One of my favorite garden flowers… in a beautiful hand painted container- with a covered bridge… How Wonderful…
And then here’s an elegant tapered vase- with an “Umbrella like structure of garden flowers- that include Zinnias… Zinnias are great cut flower- and they last so long…
I LOVE to see pictures of your flower arrangements - we call them “Schwankes” after a viewer’s nickname. Send them to j@ubloom.com - the letter j at the letter u- bloom.com and watchfor more Schwankes on upcoming shows”
Extending our enjoyment of flowers by drying or preserving them, to have in our home can give us a lift for weeks and even months – especially if there are times when we can’t have fresh flowers around. For Life In Bloom, I’m J Schwanke.