LADYBUG SAYS... DRIED FLOWERS CAN PRESERVE BEAUTY OF GARDEN BEFORE JACK FROST HITS

Folks in the eighteenth century dried flowers quite stylishly for home decorations.

It is said that they would hang the flowers to dry and then arrange them into bouquets. Today, we find dried flowers are popular in homes, either as arrangements or used in potpourri.

One can preserve part of the garden this fall, before Jack Frost claims the last rose of summer. Now, flower drying is simple, although somewhat a slow process.

Any flower can be preserved by drying. However, it is not necessary to limit selections to flowers. Herbs, berries, pods, cones, fruits and foliage can also be included. One can select the harvest according to the needs. Potpourri makings have scents as the most important, and for arrangements, color and shape are the guides.

The best time for picking is a warm, sunny morning when plants are naturally dry and leaves and buds are at their prettiest and most fragrant. Choose only the bright, perfect flowers or leaves for drying. It is always best to pick them before noon, on a clear dry day, making sure they are free of insects and disease.

Hang drying has been revived in the last few years with the popularity of the country look. It used to be that our grandmothers used their attic for drying flowers, but few of today's homes have attics. Find a cool, dry, airy spot out of the way of passing heads. Although it does not need to be total darkness, avoid the sun or the plants' colors may fade.

When picking the flowers to be dried, choose the best buds and blooms. Remove most of the leaves to allow better air circulation. For roses cut off the thorns, too. Place stems together cutting them in varying lengths. Flower heads should not touch or they may mildew as they dry.

Tie the bunch together at the base of the stem. One writer suggests an old discarded nylon stocking works well,20as the flowers begin to dry and the stems shrink, the nylon will adjust to keep the bunch intact.

Drying time will vary depending on the flowers and the conditions of the drying area. Unusually a couple of weeks is all that is required.

This method is good for such flowers as yarrow, baby's breath and hydrangea. At the Farmer's Market this year, they sold many bunches of what we used to call Bachelor's Buttons, but now have the fancy name of Globe Amaranth, which are perfect for drying. Many gardeners grow straw flowers because they are already dried when ready to cut.

Drying plant material by pressing is another method. Place blossoms, leaves or other foliage between layers of newspapers and weight them down by heavy objects such as books or bricks. A Sikeston friend uses a heavy telephone book for her dried materials of leaves, blossoms and other plant materials. Another friend has a flower press that works wonderfully for small flowers and leaves. Both result in beautiful flat products that can be used on stationary, bridge tallies -- even hibiscus under glass on a serving tray.

Treating with glycerin is another easy way to preserve the beauty of foliage in the fall. Mix 4 tablespoons of water and 2 tablespoons of glycerin and place the tree branches in this mixture. Bradford pear and magnolia (stems split) are especially beautiful when preserved this way.

A recent Reader's Digest tip told how to preserve the garden beauty by using a drying agent. It reported as follows:

To dry flowers with thick heads, such as roses, zinnias and marigolds, use silica gel, available at craft stores, or perlite from a nursery. The flowers are less likely mildew and will retain their colors better. If the silica gel has absorbed moisture (the crystals will be pink), set it in a 250 degree oven for an hour or until it turns blue. This will remove the moisture.

Spread a 1-inch layer of the drying agent in the bottom of an air tight container. Choose flowers of similar type and size, remove their leaves, and clip off all but 1/2 to 1 inch of stem.

On the top of the agent, placed cupped flowers (such as roses) upright, radial shapes face down and sprays flat. Completely cover them with additional crystals. Seal the container and place it in a cool, dark place.

When the flower petals are almost as crisp as paper, in about a week, gently pour off the agent. Thread florist's tape to provide stems for arranging, the magazine reported.

Microwave drying is the newest kind of drying. Your cookbook that came with the microwave will give complete instructions. Many have reported excellent results.

Try drying some flowers to preserve summer's beauty.