How to dry roses

(Photo: Getty Images)

Want to keep that romantic red rose around a little longer? Whether they're from Valentine's Day or another special occasion, roses can last beyond their first bloom with a bit of extra care. You can dry out the flowers and display them or use them in craft projects for memories that live on.

You'll need:

• Fresh roses
• Push-pins
• Rubber bands or string
• Aerosol hair spray

The key is to start before the heads of the roses begin to droop and before the flowers have lost any petals. This ensures a strong stem, a firm and full flower, and the most vibrant color once dry.

If the flowers have been in water, dry the stems, and remove leaves from the stems. Take two or three roses and gently twist a rubber band or string around the bunch near the bottom of the stems to hold them together.

Secure a push-pin into a shelf, wall, door frame, closet, or other area to hang that is away from people and pets. You want to hang the roses where they will get air circulation but not face a window (so they don't fade or become too brittle). Hook or tie the loose end of the rubber band / string to the push-pin.

It will take about two weeks for the roses to completely dry. Then you can lightly spray each flower with hair spray to keep them from falling apart as quickly (though they will always be fragile).

Blooms will shrink and change color when they dry. Red roses can turn very dark burgundy, almost black. White roses become a lovely parchment color. Pink roses tend to become a deep blush or peach. Yellow roses may turn a brown or orange shade. Purple roses can go blush or brown, depending on how dark they started.

Long-stem dried roses look elegant in vases and arrangements, or you can hot-glue dried blossoms onto wreaths and seasonal decorations. Fill a glass bowl with a mix of dried roses for a romantic centerpiece.

If you want to dry a fully opened blossom, try using silica gel. This product is available at craft stores and can be dangerous around children and pets. Make sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions. You'll also have to snip the roses sooner.

Have the petals already begun to fall? You can still preserve the flower by pressing it or at least pressing a few petals. This site has easy instructions for making a flower press out of cardboard, paper towels, and coffee filters. You can use pressed roses and petals in scrapbooks and other art projects.

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