The city of Los Angeles is in full bloom – a super bloom, in fact. All of the winter storms and showers have brought about an eruption of spring flowers. Southern California hillsides are painted with a variety of wildflowers – yellow, orange and purple – that have struggled through years of drought.
Unfortunately, my tiny apartment in Westwood boasts views of cement sidewalks rather than lush hillsides, so I’ve taken to purchasing bouquets from Trader Joe’s to evoke a little bit of that wild spring feeling. However, as the weather turns warmer the wildflowers are beginning to dry up and disappear, just as my tabletop flower arrangements start to wilt after only a few days. One simple remedy to make spring last longer, however, is flower pressing.
Flower pressing is a process that completely dries out the plant’s petals and leaves by flattening it. The flower is then preserved in a two dimensional form that won’t wither or decay. Overall, it’s a simple process that requires few materials and results in a charming decoration for your home. It’s ideal for making keepsakes out of flowers from your graduation, your secret admirer, or like us at prime, preserving spring.
Maryrose Kulick
/ Daily Bruin
Flowers
Plain paper or flat cardboard
Multiple books or heavy objects
Picture frame
Glue
Choose your flowers. Smaller, less bulky flowers will likely press more uniformly.
Place the flowers between two pieces of paper – for this example, we used flat pieces of cardboard. This will help absorb moisture from the flowers while they are being pressed.
Maryrose Kulick
/ Daily Bruin
Place the flowers inside a book. If you are using thin papers, choose a book you don’t mind leaving imprints on – "The Complete Works of Shakespeare" was my pick. Then place the book in a safe, dry location, and stack more books or heavy objects on top. This provides an excellent chance to make use of textbooks you’ve neglected to sell back.
Maryrose Kulick
/ Daily Bruin
Wait two to three weeks – patience is indeed a virtue.
Maryrose Kulick
/ Daily Bruin
Carefully open the book and remove the flowers, keeping in mind that they are very delicate. If desired, gently glue the flowers to a piece of paper and then place into a frame.
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Hang the frame on your wall and enjoy springtime, even when it’s long gone.