How to Preserve Flowers for Creative Projects

Dried flower & Dried Lime Grapevine Wreath. This wreath features some Wooden Flowers.

After designing and creating something special with flowers, I always hate to see them wither and eventually fade away. Recently, I began preserving the flowers I love so I can enjoy and use them again in future creative projects. This year, I’ve been experimenting with one of my favorites—the beloved dahlia—and the results have been wonderful.

I’ve even been known to disassemble a special bouquet and transform its individual flowers into a small everlasting wreath, creating a meaningful keepsake that helps commemorate a beautiful occasion.

Preserving flowers this way gives them a second life, turning something fleeting into a lasting piece of art.

Different Methods for Drying and Preserving Flowers

There are several simple ways to dry and preserve flowers, and the best method often depends on the type of flower. When I have abundant, sturdy stems like lavender, I typically use the traditional method of hanging small bunches upside down to air dry.

For flowers such as hydrangeas and tiny spray roses, I’ve found that an even easier method works beautifully: simply place them in a vase without water and let them dry naturally. As they lose their moisture, many flowers take on a wonderfully sculptural quality, creating a beautiful piece of dried-flower art with almost no effort at all.

Experimenting with different flower-preservation methods is part of the fun. With a little patience, flowers that might otherwise be discarded can become lasting materials for wreaths, arrangements, crafts, and other creative projects.

Dried spray roses in simple vase.

How to Preserve Flowers with Silica Gel Crystals

One of my favorite methods for preserving flowers is drying them with silica gel crystals. Silica gel gently draws moisture from the flowers, helping them retain much of their original shape, color, and delicate details. It’s an especially effective method for preserving flowers for wreaths, floral arrangements, crafts, and other creative projects.

I like to begin by removing any excess foliage and stems using my favorite Micro Pruning Snips. If you’re planning a project that requires the stems, you can certainly leave them intact.

Next, add about 1 inch of Silica Gel Crystals to the bottom of a Rubbermaid container, making sure the crystals create an even layer across the entire surface. Carefully place your flowers on top of the silica gel, either face up or face down, depending on the shape and type of flower. Arrange them closely together, but make sure the flowers aren’t touching one another.

Once all of your flowers are arranged, slowly pour more Silica Gel Crystals over the top. Continue adding crystals until each flower is completely covered and the silica gel has gently filled in around every petal and detail.

Secure the lid tightly and place the container in a cool, preferably dark location for approximately one week. The exact drying time will vary depending on the type and size of the flower. Some delicate flowers may be completely dry in just a few days, while larger, moisture-rich flowers can take longer.

The wonderful thing about drying flowers with silica gel is that you can experiment with different varieties and drying times to see what produces the best results. With a little trial and error, you’ll discover which flowers preserve beautifully—and you’ll have a wonderful supply of everlasting blooms ready for your next creative project.

Delicate dried Dahlia Flowres.

How to Remove and Store Flowers Preserved with Silica Gel

Once your flowers have finished drying, it’s time to carefully remove them from the silica gel. For this step, I recommend using a small slotted spatula, which makes it much easier to gently retrieve smaller, delicate flowers without damaging the petals.

I carefully slide the spatula underneath each flower and lift it slowly, allowing the Silica Gel Crystals to fall back into the container. Once the flower is removed, I gently tap it on all sides to release any crystals that may still be tucked between the petals.

I then arrange all of my newly preserved flowers side by side on a tray and allow them to sit for a little while longer, making sure they are completely dry before storing them. This extra step is important because any remaining moisture can lead to mold.

Once I’m confident the flowers are completely dry, I store them in a container with air vents to allow for some circulation. Properly dried and stored flowers can last for a long time, giving you a beautiful collection of everlasting blooms to use in wreaths, floral arrangements, crafts, and other creative projects.

Gently scooping dried Dahlia Flowers out of the Silica Gel Crystals.

Creative Ideas for Dried Flowers

Once you’ve preserved a beautiful collection of flowers, the fun really begins! There are so many creative things to make with dried flowers, from everlasting wreaths and floral branches to small decorative pieces that can be used as table cards, place settings, or gift toppers.

I especially love turning little pieces of wood into unique dried flower decorations. They make charming table cards or thoughtful gift toppers and are a wonderful way to give preserved flowers a second life. Another favorite in autumn are dried flower pumpkins. Hot gluing your dried bounty to the top of a pumpkin is simple and it makes a great centerpiece.

Or, you can keep it wonderfully simple. I often arrange small groupings of dried flowers in a pretty vase and let their natural beauty speak for itself. Unlike fresh flowers, dried floral arrangements can be enjoyed for months or even years, making them a lovely way to preserve a special moment, bouquet, or season.

If you’re planning to make dried flower wreaths, floral decorations, or gift toppers, I highly recommend investing in a quality glue gun. Because I do quite a bit of designing, I purchased a professional-grade, cordless Ryobi Glue Gun, and I absolutely love it. It gets very hot, so be careful when working with it, but not having a cord to maneuver around makes creating so much easier. The battery and charger are included, too.

With a collection of preserved blooms and a few simple supplies, you can turn dried flowers into beautiful, lasting pieces for your home, entertaining, gift wrapping, and creative projects.

Mini spray roses glued to a tiny piece of wood.

I hope this inspires you to start preserving all the beautiful flowers you encounter and turn them into something you can enjoy for years to come. I’d love to see what you create, so feel free to drop me a line and share your dried flower projects!
Your Supply list:

Hearty Fresh Flowers (without a lot of delicate & loose petals)
Micro-Tip Pruning Snips
Rubbermaid Storage Containers with Lids
Silica Gel Crystals
Mini Slotted Spatula
Professional-grade Glue Gun

How to Enjoy The PHS Philadelphia Flower Show

The Philadelphia Flower Show Water Feature

If you are from the northeast or live anywhere near Philadelphia, I am sure you've heard of The Philadelphia Flower Show. Flower enthusiasts come from far and wide to this grand event every year. Many of them probably do not even realize it's the oldest and largest indoor flower show in the world!

The Flower Show is produced by The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society annually at the beginning of March and is held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center which provides the show with 2.3 million square feet of exhibition space, the largest contiguous exhibit space in the Northeast. During the two years of the pandemic, the show was moved outside to fdr park and it was moved to the month of June.

PA Convention Center - Photo: www.discoverphl.com/

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) is an internationally recognized nonprofit organization founded in 1827, that uses horticulture to advance the health and well-being of the Greater Philadelphia region. They use the funds to provide low-cost gardening programs, create community gardens, support neighborhood programs, design and maintain free public gardens, and plant trees. This year's show began on Saturday, March 4, and it runs until Sunday, March 12, so there is still plenty of time to get there. If this is your first time I hope this encourages you to go.

The hours are:

March 4, 10, 11: open 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

March 5 - 9: open 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

March 12: open 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Philadelphia Horticultural Society Photo: phsonline.org

Flower Show Themes Through the Years

Every year the Horticultural Society chooses a new theme. The 2023 theme is "The Garden Electric". Some creative themes through the years have been:

• 2022 In Full Bloom

• 2021 Habitat

• 2020 Riviera Holiday

• 2019 Flower Power

• 2018 Wonders of Water

• 2017 Holland: Flowering the World

• 2016 Explore America

• 2015 Celebrate the Movies

Flower Power Theme 2019 - Photo: PhillyVoice.com

The Flower Show Exhibitors

Floral designers and exhibitors are carefully chosen. You'll find professionals, nonprofessionals, universities such as my alma mater, The University of Delaware, and locals like Temple's Tyler School of Art and Architecture and Delaware Valley University all represented. And keep in mind it's not only about well-known floral studios and their gorgeous displays, you'll also see fascinating exhibits from The Philadelphia Society of Botanical Illustrators, The Pennsylvania Bonsai Society, and The Men's Garden Club of Philadelphia to name just a few. The full 2023 list of exhibitors can be found here.

Florastruck: The 2023 Philadelphia Flower Show Entrance Garden

Find Your Favorite

My favorite exhibit this year has to be “The Cerebral Garden”: Look for a giant brain with electrical synapses emanating from a large white tree. Designed by Jennifer Designs, this full immersion experience is truly unique and one I did not expect while waiting in line. The designer invites visitors to step inside the lobes of the brain. There is an interactive feature explaining how electrical impulses shape our thoughts and perceptions. In my opinion, it's a great interpretation of this year's theme Garden Electric.

The Cerebral Garden Exhibit - Photo: Kim Bensing

The Cerebral Garden Exhibit - Photo: Kim Bensing

The Cerebral Garden Exhibit - Photo: Kim Bensing

Don’t Skip The Student Exhibitors

Do yourself a favor and keep your eyes open for the Pressed Plant Art exhibit, Bugging Out Over Color, in the Design Gallery portion of the show. These works were created by the 5th-12th grade students from Tredyffrin/Easttown School District under the supervision of the brilliant fine artist and my dear old friend Khara Flint. These little framed delights really exemplify the beauty that pressed flowers can and should provide. I wanted to buy one for my home. Thank you, Khara!

“Bugging out over color” -Pressed Paper Student Exhibition led by Artist, Khara Flint

Take Advantage of Some Special Events

Throughout the entire week, you'll find various events to keep you busy no matter what day you go.

On March 5-12, you can participate in an Early Morning Tour where you can buy a separate ticket for a two-hour tour with a longtime attendee ($110 fee). Early Morning Photography Tours are also available from March 6 to 10 ($130 fee). Both start at 8 a.m. and end at 10 a.m.

Floral Tutus

When you first arrive, you'll walk right through Artisan Row. Here you can make candles, and botanical jewelry, create handbags and flower crowns, design succulent terrariums, and even participate in a dried flower bar. These events have an additional fee depending on the event you choose.

The Dry Flower Bar at the Philadelphia Flower Show

There is free live music at the flower show every day beginning at noon. Every year the show features a flower crown Bloom Bar ($33 fee). On March 5th you can enjoy Design & Dine: Create your own floral arrangements while sharing a meal ($40 fee). With the show's Potting Parties, you can learn the art of container gardening with flower designer Tu Bloom ($10 fee). There's even a dance party called Flowers After Hours on March 11 from 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. This year the theme is Garden Noir; participants will wear all-black attire and masks. Must be 21 and over with an ID ($75 fee).

Take Your Kids & Pets

There is a Kid's Cocoon featuring a play area for children to learn about pollinators, plant seeds, and take them home. On March 12, children can partake in face painting, giveaways, mascot visits, and more with Family Frolic. On March 10, they are offering Fido Friday where you can bring your furry friends to the Flower Show. Each day the Butterflies Live experience lets you enter a butterfly habitat, enjoy the experience and respectfully take pictures. ($5 fee).

Butterflies Live at The Philadelphia Flower Show - Photo: phsonline.org

Talk to a Few Vendors

I always look forward to the spark of joy I get when I visit the vendor section of the flower show. The show hosts many interesting vendors each year, so many that they take up almost half of the entire convention center. The full is can be found here.

I have a few vendors I always hunt for whenever I go. This year I stopped by booth #116 to visit my social media friend and vintage jewelry designer extraordinaire Jill Schwartz. I've been following Jill to the flower show for years and I own several of her designs. She studied design at Pratt and she just has such a warm, kind personality. She also has an exciting presence on Instagram if you indulge. Check out Elements Jill Schwartz.

Elements Jill Schwartz - Photo: Kim Bensing

My other go-to vendor is Glenda Gies (booth #809). Glenda is a local handbag designer from Philadelphia. I was first drawn to Glenda's designs a few years ago when I purchased my first bag at the flower show. Glenda uses the most exquisite tactile fabrics on her handbags which come in many stylish, vintage-inspired shapes. I met Glenda for the first time this year, and I own two of her fabulous handbags, which you can purchase at a discount only at the flower show. Check out Glenda Gies.

Glenda Gies Handbags - Photo: Kim Bensing

I was very happy to find Doylestown’s own Bluestem Botanicals among the vendors this year at The Flower Show. Bluestem is an herbal farm collective that connects people with plants for food, and medicine. I had the pleasure of participating in a tented potluck dinner and farm tour this past summer in Doylestown. Here at the show, founders Eric and Linda are serving guests a sample of a refreshing blueberry mocktail, spritzed with one of their herbal hydrosols. Check out their yummy “Drink Your Garden” farm-crafted, botanically-focused cocktail/mocktail kits when you visit them at the show.

Founders of Bluestem Botanicals, Eric Vander Hyde and Linda Shanahan Photo: Kim Bensing

How to Buy Tickets to The Flower Show

The Philadelphia Horticultural Society produces the show, so you must buy your tickets on their website provided here.

Adult tickets: $43.50

Student tickets: $30.00 (with a valid student id)

Child tickets (5-17): $20.00

Children under 5 are free

There are two packages: two adults and one child ($100) or two adults and two children ($120)

If you order online there is a small fee, but I recommend doing this in advance of your trip to avoid long lines, especially if you choose to go on a weekend.

If you become a member of the Philadelphia Horticultural Society online, you can get discounted tickets and Member’s Preview Day tickets are also an option. This preview takes place the Friday before the show opens. Everything is very well explained on their website above.

Garden Electric…

Ice Cream Cone Man

How to Travel to The Flower Show
I happen to live in a Philadelphia suburb, approximately 20 miles from downtown Philadelphia, so each year I hop on the regional rail (SEPTA) just a few blocks from my home and it takes me to Jefferson Suburban Station which conveniently is underneath the PA Convention Center. The train ride is easy and stress-free because I do not have to find parking, walk in the city at all or even wear a coat as the outdoor regional stations have heating lamps. And Jefferson Suburban Station is one of the main hubs in center city, Philadelphia, so if you have rail service where you live, download the SEPTA app and find your best route. In addition, I found this handy guide in the Philadelphia Inquirer. I hope it helps.

Bike: 19 minutes from South Philly, 30 from North or West Philadelphia.

Buses: Take lines 4, 10, 11, 13, 16, 17, 21, 23, 33, 34, 36, 38, 42, 47, and 48.

Subway: On the Market-Frankford line, the 11th Street Station leaves you within a three-minute walk from the Convention Center. On the Broad Street Line, the Race-Vine Station will leave you a minute away from the venue.

Regional Rail: Get off at Jefferson or Suburban Station.

If you choose to drive into the city, the address is below. There are plenty of city parking garages nearby so the Convention Center should only be a short walk.

PA Convention Center
1101 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Giant Paper Flowers from Ukraine

Peace Doves

How to Eat at The Flower Show

In years past there were various local establishments like Philly's iconic Di Bruno Brothers sprinkled throughout the convention center for easy eats. This year Aramark Hospitality took over that function. The Convention Center's Overlook Cafe is another option if you prefer to stay inside. But if you want to experience the local flavors Philly has to offer check out Philly's famous Reading Terminal Market located just across the street or walk over to Chinatown, another nearby option.

Reading Terminal Market, Philadelphia, PA

I hope you enjoyed this blog. Please leave comments below if you’ve experienced The Flower Show firsthand and if it’s still on your list, I hope this inspires you to go this week. If you live far away, consider a trip to Philadelphia next March. The Show certainly prepares you for the beauty that is spring! You can subscribe to this blog here. Thank you. If you’re a blogger, what’s your favorite SEO Tool? I’ve had much keyword success with RankIQ. Learn more here.

Hellebore Detail - Photo Kim Bensing