Learn the art of flower pressing

Master the art of flower pressing with this simple how-to guide. Display dried plants and flowers, such as fern leaves and cow parsley stems, in glass frames for a lasting seasonal arrangement.

YOU WILL NEED

• wild flowers and plants
• garden scissors or secateurs
• pressing kit or book
• glass frames

METHOD

1. Gather a handful of wild plants and flowers from the garden or local woodland (not too many from the woodland though, we don't want to spoil it).
2. Place the flowers between the pages of a book. We used an old photo album with acid-free paper sheets, or try a flower press, available from Baileys
3. Use a weight, or books, to keep the pages flat – you won't need to do this with a press as they have bolts to tighten at each corner.
4. 
Leave for one to two 
weeks in a dry, cool place.
5. Once the flowers are completely dry, arrange them in glass frames, trimming the stems 
to the right height.