Saving Summer's Bloom

You'd need a greenhouse to enjoy fresh blossoms year-round, but drying flowers can help preserve their memory for you throughout the winter.

Start by picking the flowers you want to save at the height of their beauty, around midday when there's little moisture trapped inside the petals. Pick off any loose stems or leaves, except perhaps those nearest the bloom itself.

After binding together a half-dozen stems, hang them upside down for several weeks in an area that's away from sunlight, dry and well-ventilated. But this process works only for smaller flowers: If you want to preserve roses, tulips or other large blooms, buy silica gel at a hobby shop and follow the directions carefully.