Australian native flowers are a beautiful choice for creating dried arrangements that last. Their natural textures, earthy colours and sturdy petals help them retain their shape long after fresh flowers fade. As a florist in Fitzroy, Tribal Rose loves working with native blooms such as banksia, strawflowers, billy buttons and wax flowers.
With a few simple steps, you can dry these flowers at home and enjoy their beauty for a year or longer. Simply cut the stems just before the flowers fully open, remove the lower leaves, tie them into small bunches and hang them upside down in a dark, dry, well-ventilated space for two to three weeks.
Here's how we'd do it, from the florists at Smith St.
Which native flowers dry best?
Not every bloom is worth the effort. These are the reliable ones:
• Strawflowers and paper daisies (everlastings): Practically made for drying. They keep their colour and their papery petals.
• Billy buttons (craspedia): Hold their golden globes perfectly.
• Banksia: Both flowers and pods dry beautifully and make a statement piece.
• Wax flower: Dries quickly and keeps its tiny blooms.
• Eucalyptus foliage and gum nuts: Dry well, or can be preserved in glycerine (see below) to stay soft.
• Leucadendron and other tough, leathery foliage: Hold structure well.
• Rice flower (ozothamnus): Light and textural, and dries easily.
• Grevillea and hakea: Can work, though results vary by variety.
Wattle and kangaroo paw can be dried, but wattle tends to shed and kangaroo paw can shrivel and lose its colour. Treat these as an experiment rather than a sure thing.
Method 1: Hang drying (the simplest)
This works for most of the list above.
1. Cut at the right time. Pick in the morning once any dew has dried. Choose stems that are just opening, not fully bloomed, because they continue to open as they dry.
2. Strip the lower leaves. Remove foliage from the bottom half of each stem so air can circulate and rot is less likely.
3. Bundle small. Group 5 to 8 stems with a rubber band, which tightens as the stems shrink. Don't pack bunches tightly.
4. Hang upside down. Use a hook, hanger or string in a dark, dry, well-ventilated spot such as a spare room, wardrobe or covered porch.
5. Wait. Most flowers need two to three weeks. They're ready when the stems snap rather than bend, and the petals feel papery.
Method 2: Dry them standing up
For stiffer stems like banksia, eucalyptus and leucadendron, you can skip the hanging. Stand them in an empty vase, or one with a few centimetres of water that you let evaporate. They'll dry in their natural shape, which suits curved or heavy stems that would flop when hung.
Method 3: Preserve foliage with glycerine
If you want eucalyptus that stays soft and flexible rather than turning brittle:
1. Mix one part glycerine with two parts hot water.
2. Crush or split the bottom of each stem and stand it in the mixture.
3. Leave for one to two weeks until the leaves darken slightly and feel supple.
The colour usually shifts to a deeper green-bronze, which many people love in an arrangement.
Method 4: Silica gel for delicate blooms
For flowers that don't air-dry well, such as flannel flowers, bury the heads in silica gel in an airtight container for several days. It keeps shape and colour better, but it takes more effort and suits small projects rather than big bunches.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Direct sunlight. It fades colour fast, so dry in the dark and display away from bright windows.
- Picking too late. Fully open flowers often drop petals as they dry.
- Overcrowding. Tight bunches trap moisture and can go mouldy.
- Skipping the check. If a stem still bends or feels cool and damp, give it more time.
Caring for your dried natives
- Keep arrangements out of direct sun and away from humid rooms.
- Dust gently with a soft brush or a hairdryer on cool and low.
- A light spritz of unscented hairspray can reduce shedding on delicate varieties.
- Expect most to last six to twelve months, with some lasting longer.
Why Spring Belongs to Australian Natives
Spring is peak season for many Australian natives, which makes it one of the best times to enjoy them. Wattle, paper daisies and flannel flowers are among the natives that flower in the warmer months. Many of them are tough and papery by nature, so they also suit drying once the fresh display fades. Our Wildflower Bouquet brings together the wildflowers of the season, hand-tied and available from $100.
Same-Day Flower Delivery in Fitzroy and Nearby Suburbs
Need fresh natives today? Order before 12 PM and we’ll deliver your flowers the same day. We deliver across Fitzroy, Collingwood, Carlton, Fitzroy North, Richmond, and the Melbourne CBD. Every bouquet is hand-tied from whatever is in season that week, so your flowers arrive fresh.
Order Fresh Natives from Tribal Rose
Ready to try drying natives at home? Shop our bouquets online, or call us on (03) 9415 6857 to ask which natives are at their best this week. You can also visit us at 257 Smith Street, Fitzroy.