Book of Dried Flowers: A Complete Guide to Growing, Drying, and Arranging

This book makes you want to run right out and cut a bundle of something to dry so you can make something gorgeous right away.The fact that this book was first published in 1987 and is still being printed is testimony to the valuable information and beautiful photos contained inside.When the two authors first penned this book, they had already been in the dried flower business for 17 years. Their expertise and understanding of their craft shows in every word they write.Chapters include instructions for growing the plants, viewing what the plants look like when dried, choosing your wreath bases or making your own, constructing wreaths, hangings, bouquets, swags, and choosing containers for table arrangements. One of the best features of this book is the chart at the back of the book that lists a hundred or more plants, their botanic names, which season to harvest the flowers or leaves and which drying method is the preferred for that plant.There is a short reference to potpourri with several recipes, as well as a couple of pages on pressing flowers. The section on Seasons and Special Occasions covers, not only the obligatory Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, but gives innovative ideas for weddings.It is wonderful that the authors actually grow much of what they dry and that they air dry most of what they pick.Every page has a tip or set of instructions to make your arrangements with dried flowers both successful and fun.

I purchased this book 12 years ago when I developed an interest in making arrangements from dried flowers. Since then I have bought many more books on the topic and have made hundreds of arrangements, simple to elaborate. This is still my favorite book, and I refer to it often. Despite the fact that it was published in 1987, it is not dated. The section identifying dried flowers is comprehensive and well organized, as is the chapter on choosing containers. The instructions for making arrangements, wreaths, swags and specialty pieces are thorough and easy to follow. The floral arrangements are truly inspiring. The concepts are easily adaptable to silk, paper and fresh flowers.