Drying and Preserving
If you’ve got a bouquet you just can’t bring yourself to compost, another option is to preserve your dead flowers by drying them. Dried flowers can be used for a variety of decorative purposes, giving your favorite flower arrangement a second act.
The process of drying flowers is actually relatively simple. The first step is to remove them from their vase and cut any foliage from the stem. You can trim the stems as well, but you want to leave at least six inches. Next, find a dark, dry environment where you can store them for two to four weeks, ideally a place where they’ll get a bit of airflow. Hang the flowers upside down — you can use a piece of string or wire to hang them from a closet rod or hanger. This step will work best if you hang each flower individually.
Your flowers should be completely dry in two to four weeks. Take them down and give each a quick spray with some unscented hairspray to protect the petals. Voilà! You’ve got a beautiful bouquet of dried flowers that should last for about a year, provided you keep them away from water and direct sunlight. You can create your own arrangement and display it in a vase, make a simple wreath or garland with the dried blooms, or add some essential oils to the petals and create a homemade potpourri.
Deadheading Your Bulbs
If you’ve got flowers that did make it through the cold season, like violas or pansies, spring is a great time to give them some renewed care. Deadheading might sound like a potentially unsavory activity that takes place in the parking lot outside a Grateful Dead show. But it’s actually quite a bit simpler than that (and not unsavory at all!). Deadheading refers to the process of pruning old flowers from plants. Getting rid of dead or dying blooms will not only make your plant look healthier but will also promote the growth of new flowers (depending on the type of flower).
You’ll want to pinch or cut off the stem just below the dead flower and just above the highest set of healthy leaves. If it’s a plant that grows multiple flowers on one stem, you can cut back the entire stem if all the flowers have finished blooming. If it’s a once-blooming flower, the plant won’t produce more flowers, but it will look healthier with the dead bulbs gone.
Revitalizing Your Space
One of the main benefits of spring cleaning is feeling like you’ve got a fresh start with the space around you. Cleaning your space can unlock your creativity and put you in the mood for redecorating and changing up the look and feel of your home. Some spring flowers can be an ideal complement to your new look, adding a pop of color and style.
A delicate arrangement of lilies, lisianthus, and lavender will bring a light and airy mood to any room. And its fresh scent will help push out any lingering memories of winter.
Likewise, peaches and blues will help transform your place into something that feels completely fresh. A touch of greenery combines perfectly with the roses and ranunculus in this arrangement to create a vibe worthy of an outdoor Italian cafe.
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This article originally appeared on UrbanStems and was syndicated by MediaFeed.
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Featured Image Credit: UrbanStems.com.