How do I Preserve the Color of Pressed Flowers?

Pressed flowers occasionally lose their color during the drying process or shortly thereafter while on display. You can prevent the loss of color by using flowers well-suited to pressing in the first place, conditioning the flowers, pressing the flowers properly and displaying the flowers in the proper conditions. According to North Dakota State University, flowers that keep their color well when pressed include aster, bleeding heart, buttercup, chrysanthemum, columbine, cosmos, dahlia, dogwood, English daisy, geranium, larkspur, lily-of-the-valley, marigold, pansy, poppy, rose, sweet pea, violet, and zinnia.

Scissors
Vase
Floral food
Newspaper
Blotting paper
Book
Weight
'Floating' picture frame or frame with acid-free mounts

Instructions

- 1
  Cut the desired flowers and trim any leaves located toward the bottom of the stem.
- 2
  Place the flowers in a vase with floral food for 24 hours to condition the blooms.
- 3
  Take the flowers out of the vase and place them between several sheets of newsprint. Place one layer of blotting paper on each side of the flower within the newsprint. Place all layers flat inside a book. Set at least 20 pounds of weight on the book and keep it in a dark, dry place for two weeks to one month.
- 4
  Replace the blotting paper every two days to speed the drying process and prevent browning and color loss.
- 5
  Display the pressed flowers between two sheets of glass, such as in a 'floating' picture frame or frame with acid-free matting. Acid-free display materials prevent the degeneration of petal color.
- 6
  Keep the displayed flowers away from bright sunlight.

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