Iris flowers are renowned for their elegant intricate blooms in shades of purple blue, yellow, pink and white. Their satiny petals and bright colors make them a favorite in many gardens. As with all flowers, iris blooms are fleeting. But you can preserve these lovely blossoms by drying them at home. With just a few simple steps and materials, you can enjoy their beauty all year round.
Why Dry Iris Flowers
Drying allows you to keep iris blooms intact long after the growing season ends. The drying process removes moisture from the plant material, stopping decay and preserving the colors and shape of the flowers. Dried iris flowers make lovely additions to floral arrangements and craft projects. They add texture and whimsy to wreaths, garlands and potpourri. Their subtle fragrance lingers even when dried. Preserving your garden irises is also sentimental, allowing you to enjoy the results of your gardening efforts for years to come.
When to Harvest Iris Flowers for Drying
For the best results harvest iris blooms when they are in peak condition. Look for flowers that have fully opened displaying their ruffled “flags” or petals. The colors will be richest when the blossoms are mature. Harvest in the morning after the dew has evaporated for optimum freshness. Carefully cut the stems just above the foliage using pruners or garden scissors.
How to Dry Iris Flowers
Air drying is the easiest method for preserving iris blooms. Simply gather 5-10 flowers and tie the stems together with twine or a rubber band. Hang the bouquet upside down in a warm, dry spot out of direct light. Attics, pantries and closets work well. You can also lay the tied bouquet on its side on a screen, cake rack or windowsill.
Check the flowers after a week or two. When thoroughly dry, the petals will feel papery and the stems brittle. If moisture remains, re-hang until completely dry. The drying time depends on factors like humidity, air circulation and the size of the blooms. Smaller varieties may dry in as little as 5-7 days. Larger blossoms can take two weeks or longer.
Tips for Better Results
Here are some tips for getting the best results when drying iris flowers:
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Strip the foliage from the lower half of the stems so none remains in the dried bouquet. The leaves will rot and cause the flowers to deteriorate.
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Consider cutting the stems to various lengths so the bloom heads are offset. This prevents crowding.
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For sturdier stems, place them in a vase without water for 2-3 days before hanging upside down to dry.
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Use glycerin to help preserve suppleness and color. Soak the stems overnight before drying.
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Spray with a fixative like floral spray paint or clear acrylic sealer once dried. This seals in the colors.
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Add a desiccant like silica sand, borax or cornmeal to the storage container to absorb lingering moisture.
Storing Dried Iris Blooms
For long-term storage, place the dried iris flowers in an airtight container out of sunlight. Glass jars, tins and boxes all work well. Add a desiccant and seal. The cool, dark conditions will help the blossoms retain their beauty for 1-3 years. To use in arrangements, cut the stems and place in floral foam or a vase of sand. Handle the blooms gently to avoid breaking the dry petals. With proper harvesting, drying and storage methods, you can enjoy the elegance of iris flowers year after year.
Troubleshooting Common Drying Problems
Drying iris blossoms does require some patience and finesse. Here are some common problems to watch out for:
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Moldy or shriveled petals – This can occur if flowers are not dried quickly enough. Ensure adequate air circulation and dry in a warm spot. Discard any rotting flowers immediately.
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Faded colors – To retain vivid coloring dry away from direct light. If blooms do fade, use floral spray to seal in remaining pigment after drying.
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Brittle petals – Flowers dried too fast may become crisp and shatter easily. Slow the drying process by placing blossoms in a bag with holes for a day or two before hanging.
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Drooping flowers – Cut stems to varied lengths and dry in small bunches for the best posture. Soaking in glycerin solution also helps stiffen stems.
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Crumbling petals – Once dried, handle iris blossoms gently. To revive brittle flowers, spray lightly with water and re-dry.
Enjoying Your Iris Collection for Years
With their stunning colors and unique forms, iris blooms are too beautiful to only enjoy for a few short weeks. By harvesting at peak freshness and drying them with care, you can save your prized flowers for years of pleasure. Experiment with different techniques until you find a process that works well in your climate. Take time to appreciate the subtle differences in each iris variety before drying. Follow these steps for successfully preserving iris flower color and form. With proper care, your dried iris collection will bring joy for many seasons to come.
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Preserve the beauty of summer with dried flowers
Last updated: December 12, 2023 | 4 min read
Living in a place like Vermont, where theres snow on the ground for six months of the year, gardening is about memories as much as it is about digging and planting and weeding. So I preserve the memories of my garden in journals, photographs and paintings that I can pore over when the ground is frozen.
Another way that I keep some of my gardens beauty around me is to dry flowers. As summer draws to a close, I gather flowers to make wreaths and dried arrangements for the house, and I squirrel away extra material for gifts. This ritual helps me say goodbye to this years garden – but not completely.
There are six flower-drying techniques to choose from. Here are the easiest ones (the ones I use):
Many kinds of flowers can simply be cut, bundled with a rubber band, and hung upside down from a nail or coat hanger. Theyll usually be dry in three to four weeks. If find this method works well for rosebuds, lavender, hydrangea, zinnias, salvias, globe thistle, artemesia, astilbe, larkspur and goldenrod.
Air-dried flowers should be picked while in loose bud or just as they open. Remember that they will continue to open as they dry. If the flower is too mature, it will drop its petals when dry.
Remove excess foliage from the stems before you dry them. Then hang small bundles upside down in a place thats warm, but not over 85 degrees. The darker the better, as light will fade flower colors. Good air circulation is important. If the air is too humid and stagnant, the petals will take too long to dry and colors will change to brown. Try a closet, attic, garage or shed.
If the flowers have stems that are weak or crooked, you can wire them before drying. (Its harder to do once theyre dry.) Cut floral wire to length and bend one end to form a small loop. Remove most of the real stem. Push the non-looped end of the wire into the center of the flower head and pull through gently until the loop is imbedded in the flower head.
These are annual flowers that are usually grown specifically for drying. The flower heads have a very low moisture content. Just cut the stems and hang to dry. Common everlastings that Ive had success with include: statice, strawflowers, gomphrena, nigella, lunaria, bells of Ireland, celosia, amaranth, Chinese lanterns and winged everlastings (Ammobium).
Some everlastings have weak, short or crooked stems and will need to be wired before they?re dried (see above). Strawflowers and Ammobium should be picked and wired when the flowers are only about one-third open.
IRIS after Flowering Do’s & Don’ts – How to Divide & Replant – Bearded Iris germanica
FAQ
How do you preserve iris flowers?
Remove any excess foliage from the stem and hang the flower upside down in a dark, dry location. Make sure there is enough space for air circulation around the flower. It may take a few weeks for the Iris flower to completely dry out, but this method can help preserve the shape and some of the color.
Do iris flowers dry well?
Iris seed pods: The flowers don’t dry well, but the seed pods can be interesting.
How do you dry flowers and keep the color?
To dry flowers without losing color, prioritize a dark, dry, and cool environment. Air drying, pressing, or using silica gel are effective methods. Hanging flowers upside down in a dark, dry place helps retain shape and color. Pressing flowers between absorbent paper in a heavy book or press also works well.
How do you care for irises in summer?
Next, suitable summer care of Irises helps the plant prepare for an excellent flower show next spring. Lastly, correct Iris care will keep the plant healthy and pest and disease free. After Irises have finished blooming their stalk will remain with dried, spent flowers at the top of the stalk. Remove the entire stalk.
How do you keep irises from dying?
Trim the stalk in line with the upright fan of leaves. This is the best way to disguise the stalk. Tidy up any spent leaves. New leaves emerge from the center of the fan. The leaves on the outer edge dry up with age. Trim them off to keep the fresh new sword-like fan of leaves looking their best. Divide your Irises every 3 to 5 years.
How do you care for iris rhizomes?
Tidy up any spent leaves. New leaves emerge from the center of the fan. The leaves on the outer edge dry up with age. Trim them off to keep the fresh new sword-like fan of leaves looking their best. Divide your Irises every 3 to 5 years. With age, Iris rhizomes get crowded and entangled and they won’t bloom as well.
How do you plant irises?
Amend soil with well-rotted compost and ensure excellent drainage. Make sure to plant Irises in full sun. Place rhizomes at soil level while making sure the long roots are deep in the soil. Water newly planted Iris divisions well. Iris rhizomes must be exposed to ensure excellent blooming! Irises bloom best in full sun.
How should I care for iris bulbs?
To ensure healthy growth and bloom performance, carefully dig, clean, and store iris bulbs after all of the foliage has died back (in the summer or fall). This allows the plant nutrients to relocate down to the rhizome.
How do you divide irises?
The best time to divide Irises is after they have finished blooming and when it is not too hot. Choose a time in early morning or wait until later in the fall when the temperatures have cooled to divide your Irises. Dig up the sections of Iris. The meaty rhizome has smaller roots growing down from it. Pull the rhizome sections apart.