How do you dry roses so they retain their shape and their petals?
The simplest and most traditional way is simply to hang them upside down in a shaded and well-ventilated place. I have just stripped the leaves off of the stems and hung the roses by the stem in my bedroom. The roses will likely change color somewhat; red especially tends to darken. But you can get good results this way. If you want them to look almost as perfect as they did when they were fresh, you will want to dry them in Silica Gel Crystals. You can find this product in any larger craft store. You pour a layer of silica gel crystals into a container with a lid, like a plastic food storage box or a metal cookie tin. Then you add the rose bloom, facing up. Gently pour the crystals over the rose so it is completely covered, then put the lid on the container. The silica gel removes all the moisture from the rose, and in a matter of days, you will have a perfectly preserved rose that has maintained its shape, form, and color.
