Why Pressed Flowers Endure
There is something quietly magical about a pressed flower. What begins as a fleeting, living bloom becomes a permanent piece of botanical art — a fragment of a summer garden, a moment from a wedding, a wildflower found on a woodland walk. Pressed flower art has been practised for centuries, appearing in herbarium collections, Victorian scrapbooks, and Japanese oshibana traditions. Today, it's experiencing a genuine renaissance as people look for slow, mindful crafts that connect them to the natural world.
What You'll Need to Get Started
The basic equipment for pressing flowers is simple and inexpensive:
- A flower press or heavy books: A dedicated wooden flower press with tightening bolts gives the most reliable results, but heavy dictionaries or textbooks work perfectly well.
- Absorbent paper: Blotting paper or plain newsprint between flowers is essential for drawing out moisture. Avoid using paper with ink near your flowers, as it can transfer.
- Card or mounting board: For displaying finished pieces.
- Tweezers: For handling delicate dried specimens without damaging them.
- PVA glue or botanical adhesive: For mounting and crafting.
Choosing the Best Flowers to Press
Not all flowers press equally well. The best candidates are:
- Flat or single-layer flowers: Pansies, violas, daisies, cosmos, larkspur, and forget-me-nots press beautifully.
- Delicate small blooms: Baby's breath, lobelia, and herb flowers like lavender and thyme press easily and look exquisite.
- Individual petals: Larger flowers like roses and poppies are best pressed petal by petal, then reassembled in your design.
Flowers with thick or fleshy centres — such as large dahlias or tulips — are more challenging because the moisture content is uneven and they can develop mould during pressing.
How to Press Flowers: Step by Step
- Harvest at the right time. Pick flowers mid-morning once any dew has dried, but before midday heat wilts them. Choose flowers at peak bloom — not fully opened or beginning to fade.
- Prepare your press. Lay a sheet of absorbent paper on one side of your open book or press base. Arrange flowers face-down on the paper, leaving space between them so they don't overlap.
- Cover and weight. Lay another sheet of absorbent paper over the flowers, close the book or tighten the press screws. Place additional heavy books on top if using the book method.
- Wait patiently. Replace the paper after the first few days to absorb initial moisture. Most flowers need two to four weeks before they are fully dried and ready to use.
- Handle with care. Once dry, flowers are fragile. Use tweezers and work on a clean, flat surface.
Creative Ways to Use Pressed Flowers
Framed Botanical Art
Arrange pressed flowers on card stock or watercolour paper, secure with a small dot of PVA glue, and frame behind glass. Group specimens by colour family or create a freeform botanical collage. These make deeply personal and beautiful gifts.
Handmade Cards and Stationery
Pressed flowers elevate handmade cards to something truly special. Glue a single pansy or a sprig of dried lavender to a folded piece of card for a gift tag that doubles as a keepsake.
Resin Jewellery and Coasters
Embedding pressed flowers in clear casting resin creates stunning jewellery — pendants, earrings, and rings — as well as functional objects like coasters, bookmarks, and phone cases. Resin kits are widely available for home crafters.
Botanical Candles
Pressed flowers can be applied to the outside of pillar candles using a heat tool or decoupage medium for a romantic, nature-inspired decorative piece.
Preserving the Colour
One of the main challenges with pressed flowers is colour fading over time. To slow this process:
- Keep finished pieces out of direct sunlight.
- Use UV-protective glass when framing.
- Seal mounted artwork with a light coat of clear fixative spray.
Pressed flower art rewards patience and attentiveness — qualities that the natural world always seems to ask of us. Start with a few blooms from your garden or a bunch of shop-bought flowers, and you may find yourself hooked on a craft that brings lasting joy through all seasons.