Dried Flower Wreaths and You

Dried Pressed Flowers:Historical evidence to preservation

From the ancient times, humankind started preserving flowers. Historians found traces of wild flowers along with the bones of ancient man in the Middle East (West Asia). From ancient times flowers have provided us with food, medicine and decoration. Each civilization has its own explanation of flowers.

In the middle ages there were tussie-mussies made to remove diseases and bad odors. The tussie-mussies were made of tiny herbs and flowers. During those days, people used to believe that the flowers are similar to the illness that it treats. For instance a dandelion possessing a milky sap was good for mothers.

Gradually the people began to understand the use of herbs. They became popular and started curing emotions like catnip in relieving anxiety, sage giving knowledge, and mint provided refreshment.

During the 16^th century medicinal nosegays started giving way to decorative one. Flowers were then used for enhancing the beauty of jewels, fans and gloves. Flowers became an important part in trendy form.  During the end of the Elizabethan age the trend of flowers became famous among the men and women.

As the Victorian era emerged the charm of flowers gained. It was in this period that the language of flowers developed. At that time, exchange of flowers was very significant. “Talking bouquet” became famous during that time. People made round nosegays that carried messages of love, sympathy, best wishes, etc. The symbolic meanings in the flowers were style, fiction, ethnicity, and trade.

Further, we can say that flowers form an important part in fashion and literature. There are hundreds of new plants introduced in Europe and Asia. People started preserving these flowers. The most efficient way of flower preservation was press method. The art of pressing flowers goes back to the Victorian period. We can still find the alpine flora and the old herbaria preserved. Pick the flowers when they have no dew in them. Place the flowers between papers. You should avoid using wax paper. Observe that your flowers do not fold in the paper. Place heavy books on top of the paper and leave it for 3 to 4 weeks.

Yet another way of flower preservation from ancient times is drying. Before the sun gets too hot pluck the flowers. Tie the flowers by their stems. Then hang it upside down in a dark dry room. Leave the flowers there for 2 to 3 weeks. You will get your flowers dried and ready for preservation.

Flower preservation is indeed an ancient way of storing flowers. Air drying and pressing are also among them.