Many people seek the timeless beauty of classic blooms, and an everlasting rose provides the opportunity to enjoy its magnificence without worrying about it wilting away.
Whether it’s to preserve cherished memories or just keep them on display to turn heads, here’s how to create your own everlasting rose in just a few steps.
Choose Your Method to Create an Everlasting Rose
There are actually a few ways you can preserve a rose (or any kind of flower), and we’ve outlined our favourite techniques below.
Air Drying Roses:
Air drying is a popular and straightforward method to preserve these blooms. Here’s how to use this method:
- To begin, grab some roses at their peak freshness and remove any leaves from the stems.
- Gently tie the stems together with a string or rubber band.
- Hang the roses upside down in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated area.
- As they dry, the roses will maintain their shape and colour, eventually becoming beautiful, dried blossoms.
This method typically takes two to three weeks, but the results are well worth the wait.
Silica Gel Drying:
Next up is silica gel, which is a handy substance that absorbs moisture and helps preserve the shape and colour of roses. Here’s how to use it:
- Place a layer of silica gel at the bottom of a container, ensuring it covers the entire surface.
- Cut the rose stems to your desired length and bury them in the gel, ensuring they are completely covered.
- Gently pour more silica gel over the roses until they are fully immersed.
- Seal the container with a tight-fitting lid and store it in a cool, dry place.
- After a few days, carefully remove the flowers from the gel, and they will emerge perfectly preserved, ready to be displayed and admired.
Pressed Everlasting Roses:
Pressing roses is a classic method for preserving their delicate beauty. Follow these steps:
- Start by selecting roses with flat, undamaged petals.
- Lay them carefully between two sheets of absorbent paper, ensuring they do not overlap.
- Place heavy objects, such as books, on top of the paper to apply pressure evenly.
- Leave the blooms pressed for several weeks, periodically checking for complete drying.
- Once fully dried, the pressed roses can be framed, incorporated into crafts, or used for decorative purposes.
Wax Dipping:
Wax dipping is an excellent technique for making an everlasting rose while maintaining its natural appearance. Try it yourself with these steps:
- Begin by melting paraffin wax in a heat-resistant container.
- Remove any foliage and trim the stems to your desired length.
- Holding the stem, carefully dip it into the melted wax, ensuring all the petals are fully coated.
- Lift the rose out of the wax and allow any excess to drip off.
- Finally, place the everlasting rose in a vase or a drying rack to cool and harden.
The wax coating will protect the roses, keeping them fresh and beautiful for a prolonged period.
Final notes
Preserving roses can be a delightful and rewarding endeavour, allowing you to enjoy their everlasting beauty, but there are several ways to go about it.
Whether you choose air drying, silica gel drying, pressing, or wax dipping, each method offers a unique way to prolong the lifespan of your blooms.
Of course, if you’re looking for expert help, we also offer our own here at The Rose Dynasty, where we carry out a comprehensive and specialised technique to make your stunning piece.
