Why dry?

I didn’t set out to create dried flower art. And if I am honest, I had no real expertise in drying flowers. I’ve dried plants for as long as I can remember, but to no real end - a sporadically used childhood flower press, the hundreds of dried roses from my years as a singer, the bundles of herbs from my garden. The only common theme was I just wasn’t ready to throw them away.

And that same sentiment was the impetus for creating District Harvests. I’m never ready to throw plants away. Flowers are fleeting. They are vibrant, and stunning, and can bring so much joy into a space. But often they are beginning to wilt before they even make it through your door

Dried flowers last. Maybe not “forever”, but usually for a very long time. Flowers change when they dry. Their texture goes from soft and supple to papery and dry, their colors often intensify, though occasionally they become more muted. But they maintain their fundamental flower quality - and sometimes even their scent!

When kept out of direct sunlight and away from any moisture, dried flowers will last a very long time. I have been drying with a purpose for six months now, and I have learned a lot of lessons in a short time. Experience is always the best teacher - so I encourage you to try. Hang a flower to dry and see what it becomes.