Drying

Use your Easy Elegance roses for dried flower arrangements and wreaths. The easiest method is to hang the roses upside down in a dark well-ventilated room. Follow these tips:

• The quicker they dry, the better roses hold their color, so try to hang them singly.
• Silica Gel, also available at craft stores, is a wonderful way to dry whole rose flowers. Bury the flowers in the gel (it's actually a sand-like texture) and wait a few days for them to dry. There are complete directions on the box.
• Once the roses are dried, many people spray them with a commercial sealant such as Dri-Seal or Clear Life (or even hair spray) to help preserve them.
• For a different and dramatic look, dip them in wax. Just melt some paraffin wax in a double boiler and let the wax cool slightly. This can be messy so spread newspaper to catch the drips. Dip each rose one at a time and hang upside down to dry (use clothespins and wire hangers). Just for fun, try this with fresh roses. Make sure the wax isn't too hot, carefully dip the fresh roses and hang to dry. These won't keep long, but they’re gorgeous for a special occasion.