Herb 'n Garden

EVERLASTING FLOWERS

by Sue Baltes

Being a lover of printed media I have always enjoyed reading magazines and books about plants and gardening, plus finding ideas to share, so I was happy when I got a message from Asheboro Magazine asking if I would like to be a contributing writer to my home town publication. My first article was due for the February issue so I thought of the many articles I had written the past few years about roses – the flower of love – and other gifts for Valentines Day. And then I realized I’d never written about everlasting flowers and that would be a perfect subject since February is the month we think of generally as the month of love and everlasting romance.

Everlastings get their name from being flowers that retain their color and form even when dried. Some of my favorites are lavender, statice, eucalyptus,

yarrow, straw flower, globe, sweet Annie Artemisia, hydrangea blooms and bay leaves are just some of my favorites for using as everlastings in different projects. But I’m sure my all-time favorite way to use them is for making wreaths. I love the romantic look of a dried wreath, and if you use herbs like lavender, eucalyptus, and even bay leaves you’ll have not only a pretty wreath but on e that is aromatic as well. I made one about three years ago and have it hanging on a mirror in my living room that looks as good as when I first made it.

After my daughter’s wedding in the mountains last October, as we were leaving I looked at all the beautiful flowers and thought “What a waste to just leave them” so I had my husband load them all in the back of our SUV for the trip back to Asheboro. The next day I took all the arrangements apart and separated them into groupings of flowers for drying and ended up with enough to make several wreaths and swags. This made me think everlasting flowers would also be great for weddings as a practical alternative to fresh flowers, since they wouldn’t wilt in the heat and corsages and bouquets could be made up in advance of the big event. Just a thought.

Everlasting flowers are fascinating plants to grow. Not only are they beautiful from their first bloom but they can be enjoyed for several years.

As you plan for your spring plantings think about growing some of these amazing flowers for future projects like wreaths. Or, if you are lucky enough to get a bouquet of cut flowers that happen to include statice, yarrow, or other dried flowers in that bouquet, save them and try making a wreath. I’ve even dropped by my local florist and bought everlastings to dry – they deal with fresh cuts daily and will know just what you need to make an everlasting wreath or craft.

My instructions for making an everlasting wreath is as follows. Start with a wire wreath form, they come in several sizes from 6” round up to 24” round, plus heart-shapes. Layer the form in Spanish moss, which is a great dried botanical, and secure it with thin gauge fishing line. Once the form is covered you can start by attaching your dried flowers using a floral adhesive or hot glue. You can cover the entire wreath or try adding flowers down just one side and add a pretty bow.

There are so many projects for using everlastings year round, so surprise yourself and delight your family and friends by making individual gifts or just grow them in your yard or garden. Either way, just ENJOY!

Sue Baltes is the owner of Herb 'n Garden shop on the corner of Academy Street and Bicentennial Park. The shop is open Tuesday through Saturday from 1 to 5 pm.

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