How to Preserve and Use Your Spring Flowers - All Year Long

Enjoying Spring Flowers

There’s nothing like the first blooms of Spring to brighten your day. The only trouble is that many perennials, like lilacs and peonies, don’t last very long. That’s why it’s very important to preserve them quickly if you’d like to use them in the future.

What You Can Do With Preserved Spring Flowers

• Create a Dried Bouquet or Host A Dry Bouquet Bar

• Create a Dried Arrangement or Host A Dry Arrangement Bar

• Create a Dried Wreath or Host A Dry Wreath Bar

• Create a Floral Memento or Host A Floral Memento Event

Fresh Hydrangea

Dry Hydrangea

How to Host A Dry Bouquet or Arrangement Bar

Hosting a Dry Bouquet or Arrangement Bar requires a fairly large room or outdoor space, depending on the size of the event, because you’ll need a table for displaying your flowers, as well as a workstation for each guest.

What You’ll Need

You should have at least one long table to display your dried flowers and greens, and at least one long 6-foot table per 3 guests. Arranging dried flowers does take up a fair amount of space, and it can get quite messy, so prepare with tablecloths. I like to stash big rubber bins under my tables for easy cleanup.

Provide each guest with a vessel or vase, and a flower snip to easily cut the stems.

And just like arranging with fresh, start each arrangement with your greens and work up to focal flowers. It’s much more difficult to design with dried flowers, as they are brittle and stiff. They fall apart easily, so be gentle when handling them. In shallow vessels, it’s a good idea to use a frog for stability. In the colorful arrangement above, I used chicken wire and shoved it into the iron, vintage vessel. It does a great job holding everything in place.

Host A Dry Wreath Bar

Wreath Bars are fun anytime of year, but especially around a seasonal change or holiday. Everyone likes a new wreath to hang on their door or wall.

What You’ll Need

All you have to do to host a wreath bar is display all of your previously made dried flowers and greens in attractive vessels and group items accordingly. Set up a few work tables or stations and invite guests to bring a wreath of their choice and a glue gun.

You can alternatively provide glue, glue guns and wreaths for everyone if you are hosting a bridal shower and want this to be a creative activity. But if this is just a fun event for friends, I recommend the “bring your own” wreath bar to keep things simple. This also enables each guest to choose the size and style of wreath they’d like to make.

Glue Guns

Grapevine Wreaths

Photos of the event are crucial so be sure to take lots.

Host A Dried Flower Framed Momento Bar

Framing a cherished memento is so satisfying. It’s a way to preserve a memory from a wedding, a birth, a precious handwritten card or note, or a photograph you just love with all your heart. Framed mementos make meaningful gifts all year long, so why not use your spring flowers and showcase special memories.

What You’ll Need To Create a Memento Bar

For this each guest will need only pressed, dried flowers, a memento, glue dots, and a frame. To prepare your flowers, you can use the pressing technique outlined below.

Arrange all of the flowers and green options on a big table, and give your guests an area to freely create their masterpiece. Provide each guest with a frame slightly larger than their memento. These floating glass frames work very well and they come in many sizes.

First, clean both pieces of glass. Then, use double-sided, clear tape or glue dots to place the memento wherever you want it on the first layer of glass. Now you can begin adhering the flowers. Be very careful, as dried, pressed flowers can be very delicate. You may want to provide some craft tweezers for precision.

When the design is finished, place the second piece of glass on top and assemble the frame.

Floating Glass Frames

Clear Tape

Craft Tweezers

There are Various Ways to Preserve Flowers

Here are four ways you can preserve your fresh Spring flowers.

• Dry Flowers in Silica

• Hang Flowers Upside Down

• Air Dry Flowers on a Flat Surface

• Flower Pressing

Flower Drying in Silica

To dry fresh flowers in silica, first you must prepare your containers and fill them with Silica Gel Flower Drying Crystals. I prefer using these Rubbermaid Containers with Lids to prevent spills. I normally have five containers going at once. Just line the bottom of each container with silica crystals and lay the flowers so that they are not touching or overlapping. Then pour more silica over the top until the flowers and stems are covered. Place the lid securely on the container and store for about a week in a cool, dark (but not moist) place.

Silica Gel Drying Crystals

Containers with Lids

When you remove the flowers from the silica, be careful not to break the flowers and stems, as they will be dry and brittle, but remarkably in tact. I always use a small spatula.

Hang Flowers upside Down

A very old and simple method of drying fresh flowers is simply hanging them upside down.

Game Changer Hooks

I have bunches hanging all around my home in the springtime, and I find the little, black hooks pictured below are especially helpful. They are typically used to hang utensils, but I’m able to attach flower bundles to almost anything with these little hooks - game changer.

Air Dry Flowers on a Flat Surface

There is nothing wrong with just placing your flowers on a flat surface and waiting for them to dry, but I would only do this if you prefer the crunchy look. Flowers typically shrivel when they dry this way while they retain their shape and texture with the silicon method above. However, with some flowers like lilac, I really like this look. I think it will be pretty when I use it on a wreath.

See the Difference

The lilac above was dried with the flat surface method, while the tulips below were preserved in Silica Gel Crystals. You can clearly see the difference.

Flower Pressing

You can also preserve your flowers by pressing them until they are dry.

For this method, carefully flatten and layer flowers between thick sheets of watercolor paper, then press them between heavy books, or buy a flower press and do many layers at once.

A Flower Press

I use this sweet Flower Press. What I love about it is the small profile. It’s only 11” square and fits nicely on a small table in my workspace and it would be right at home in a greenhouse. It comes with all the tools, papers, cardboard layers, and a travel bag.

Thanks for visiting. When preserving your Spring flowers, choose the method that works best for you and enjoy your flowers for as long as possible. I’d love to hear what you’re doing with your garden. Comment below.

Why You Should Choose Seasonal Prom Flowers

Prom is the one ‘school’ day each year where you can really shine. You’ll brighten the room with your stunning gown and glamorous hair, so why should your flowers be mediocre, bland, and quite frankly, dull?

Many of you know I began designing flowers in 2016 after many years of designing as an Art Director. Studio Sprig is my Bucks County, PA design studio that thrives on working with, not against, the environment. What that means is that I work with the seasons to choose my flowers, herbs, and sprigs whenever possible. I’ve cultivated relationships with many local growers and I’ve worked hard to learn how to create floral designs creatively using as much “seasonal nature” as I can. Much the same theory as your preference for fresh from-the-garden tomatoes in the summer only. We all know it’s because summer tomatoes taste so much better than winter tomatoes. Flowers are no different. They are so much fresher and more beautiful when they are grown locally. Their stems are not thick because they were bred for long travels. Their fragrance is not absent because they were bred to produce more and not for their scent. They look better and last longer because they were probably harvested yesterday as opposed to 3 weeks ago so they could lay dormant in a big, dark cooler.

Purple and White Anemone Prom Posy.

Hands down, local is the way to go. And the great news is that in this portion of the country, we have a plethora of local farms growing beautiful flowers. You just need to know where to look. Don’t worry, you don’t need to because I have done the homework for you. All you need to do is learn what flowers are in the season of your event. Whether is a prom or a wedding or even just a smaller party, if it falls between March - November (Northeast United States), chances are there are beautiful flowers you can count on.

In this story:

• Winter Wedding Flowers

• Spring Wedding Flowers

• Summer Wedding Flowers

• Fall Wedding Flowers

Spring Wedding Flowers

Spring couples are in luck because so, so many flowers reach peak bloom during the spring. Plus, the colors, from purple lilacs and hyacinths to soft pink sweet peas and peonies, are just divine. Learn more about in-season spring flowers here.

Best March Flowers Wedding Flowers

Ranunculus Given that ranunculus is such a popular flower, many couples look into procuring it all year long. However, it naturally blooms during late winter and early spring so it'll look especially fresh and sprightly at a March wedding.

Sweet Pea This delicate bloom smells great and looks amazing, but is only available for couples tying the knot in late winter or early spring.

Tulip Much like daffodils, tulips are a classic late winter and early spring flower. Tulips (which come in shades as varied as vibrant yellow to pastel pink) bring an elegant, refined feel to wedding arrangements. Much like daffodils, tulips are an iconic spring bloom known for their distinct shape and vibrant colors. Fringe tulips are a trendy variety that continues to gain popularity among florists and nearly-newlyweds alike.
Anemone
Known for their iconic black center, anemone flowers bring a fun and whimsical element to all floral designs. Anemone season runs from October through May so winter couples and spring couples alike can make use of this dramatic flower.
Daffodil
Daffodils are the quintessential spring flower. The trumpet-like blooms, which are available from February through May, would look beautiful in assorted bud vases on your reception tablescapes.
Hyacinth
Hyacinth, which is generally available in early- to mid-spring, is a great addition to spring wedding bouquets. The plant, which comes in a variety of colorways from pink and purple to white, grows in USDA Hardiness Zones 4-8, which means it's readily available across the US.

Best April Wedding Flowers

Sweet Pea While most couples think of pink and peachy hues for sweet peas, the botanical also grows in brown and purple colorways as well.

Lily of the Valley A favorite of the British royal family, this small bloom is great for an April garden wedding.

Hyacinth Similar in shape to lilacs, hyacinth (which can be white, pink or purple) works well in spring centerpieces that benefit from the plant's height.

Lily of the Valley
A favorite of the British royal family, lily of the valley is a great option for formal, luxury weddings. While orchids and calla lily blooms are great go-tos for luxe weddings during the colder months, lily of the valley is the best bet for spring couples who want a formal, classic flower.

Best May Wedding Flowers

Peony Peonies are beloved by many to-be-weds, but sadly have a relatively short growing season. Only a few lucky mid-Spring couples are able to utilize this lush flower in their designs. Peonies, which flower from April through June, come in a variety of colors so there's sure to be one that fits your aesthetic. White peonies would look at-home in a bridesmaid or bridal bouquet at a romantic estate wedding while vibrant coral charm peonies would complement a whimsical barn wedding beautifully.

Hydrangea Great for large-scale installations at weddings, hydrangeas are at their peak before seasonal temperatures get hot, causing them to wilt.

Lilac A quintessential spring flower, lilacs are a great option for May couples who want a bold pop of purple in their flower arrangements.
What's not to love about the soft pastel purple hued lilacs? Lilacs are most readily available in northern states from mid- to late-spring. For couples on the hunt for more purple wedding flowers, clematis is an option that's mainly available during the summer months, but may be able to be procured for a late-spring wedding.

Poppy
Poppies are a stunning bloom, but the flower is fragile so it works best when used sparingly alongside more hardy flowers. Poppies bloom in USDA Hardiness Zones 3-8 and are generally available from late spring to early summer.

Best June Wedding Flowers

Rose Roses can be procured almost anywhere during any time of the year, but they look especially great at June weddings. Since June is a transitional time as late spring gives way to early summer, some strictly spring or summer flowers are hard to come by. However, rose is a timeless standby that works in any wedding aesthetic.

Delphinium (Larkspur) Delphinium, also known as larkspur, looks similar in nature to Bells-of-Ireland or stock. Delphinium works well as ceremony aisle flowers because of the height it brings to arrangements.

Gardenia Gardenias are especially fragrant flowers so care should be taken when deciding to incorporate them into boutonnieres or bouquets as some may have sensitivities to smell. Nevertheless, the spring flower is a beautiful option for romantic and elegant occasions.

Hydrangea
The volume hydrangea brings makes it a great flower for wedding arrangements. If you've always dreamed of an all-white bouquet but don't want it to be a strictly rose bouquet, ask your floral designer to layer in other white flowers, like hydrangea, into the design. Another reason to-be-weds love hydrangeas? They're available starting in the spring, but continue to bloom through the summer and into early fall.

It’s here we create our prom posies and boutonnieres with flowers, herbs, and greens grown by local, small-scale growers who honestly care about their harvest. We style unique, magical posies and boutonnieres that will take your breath away and make others swoon. This year, be a little wild and choose Sprig. XXOO - Kimberly

All of the prom dates of the Conestoga High School Crew Team received unique Studio Sprig Posies.

Here’s your chance to be unique by creatively capturing glorious spring in one perfect, little, hand-wrapped posy. Lucky for you, just about now, loads of yummy local Pennsylvania flowers are bursting from the ground. Striking beauties called “Amandine Marshmallow” Ranunculus, “Panda” Anemone, specialty tulips like “Exotic Emperor” and delicate daffodils with fabulous names like “Sunny Girlfriend” are varieties you can look forward to.

Lilacs, hellebore and orange tulips to accent this pretty blue dress.

White panda and deep purple anemone, lilacs and sprigs in this prom posy.

White and pale pink peony for a May prom.

Contact Kimberly for your complimentary style consultation. 215.859.2202
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