How To Press A Rose

Hello and welcome to my site. My name is Amelia Tomkins. I am a retired professional who has most recently taken up the pastime of pressing flowers… and in particular, roses, one of my favourite flowers.  My fascination with pressing flowers began when I discovered a four-leafed clover between the pages of an antique set of encyclopaedias left to me by my Grandmother. Goodness only knows how long it had been there, but it was complete surprise to me and a source of utter delight. Needless to say this was the catalyst that sparked my interest in this subject.

Pressing Flowers

Pressing flowers is an age-old practice. It was favoured by the Victorians to commemorate flowers given to them by their loved ones. Traditional flower presses are readily available in most craft stores. However, the purpose of my site is to instruct you personally in the art of rose pressing without spending a fortune on books or other materials. All you will need is a house brick, some thick absorbent paper (blotting paper is ideal), cardboard and lots of patience.

Choosing a rose to press

There are so many beautiful roses around. Choosing one that is completely unblemished at the start of the process is an absolute must. It should show no sign of discolouration or mould. Equally important is the removal of any faded petals. You can press the flower with the stem if you choose, although my preferred method is to snip the stem off just under the sepals- the leaves between the stem and the bottom of the flower.

The Drying Process

To be successful in this art, the rose has to be completely dry. I have found that by placing it gently between a couple of sheets of  paper towel, and leaving it for a few hours  out of direct sunlight and in a cool place, such as a pantry or dry cellar, the start of the drying out process can be achieved. Of course it takes much longer, up to four weeks in fact, to completely dry and press your rose, but it is important not to interfere too much with it as it dries out. It is easily possible to bruise the delicate petals of the rose in this vulnerable state.

The Pressing Process

There are two options open to you now when you actually press the rose. The rose can either be placed on its side or facing up. My preference is facing up, but it really is a matter of personal choice. I recommend placing a piece of thick cardboard on the surface I am going to press the flower on and then I cover this with another piece of thick absorbent paper. After that, carefully place the rose in the middle of the paper allowing plenty of room for expansion.

Having arranged the rose petals to your taste , you then cover it up with a sheet of thick absorbent paper. Place the remaining cardboard on top. At this stage, you can use rubber bands to tie the bundle tight, but not too tight, because the air must still be able to circulate through the paper and cardboard. Next place a house brick on top of the cardboard, leave in a cool place and wait.

What Happens Next

The weight of the brick will gradually press any remaining moisture out of the rose causing it to dry. As the flower dries out, it flattens. I recommend waiting about a month, until the flower is completely dry to the touch, thereafter it is ready to be removed. And there you have it. A perfect example of an age-old technique, preserving, for all time, the beauty of one of the most exquisite flowers.