Keep Your Sunflowers Forever: A Simple Guide to Preserving Sunflowers in a Frame

Sunflowers are the quintessential symbol of summer. Their bright yellow petals and tall sturdy stems represent joy, warmth, and the carefree days of the season. As the days get shorter and summer fades into fall, it can be sad to watch these beauties wither away. But what if you could keep them forever? With some simple techniques, you can preserve vibrant sunflowers in frames to enjoy their beauty all year long.

Why Preserve Sunflowers

Sunflowers pack so much personality and color into a single bloom. Preserving them is a great way to appreciate their charm even after summer ends. Framed sunflowers make excellent home décor and thoughtful gifts. They also serve as happy reminders of summer for years to come.

What You’ll Need

Preserving sunflowers is a relatively easy DIY project Here are the key supplies you’ll need

• Freshly picked sunflower heads with stems attached
• Gardening shears or scissors
• Silica gel packets
• Airtight plastic container or paper bag
• Shadowbox style frame with glass or acrylic panel
• Hot glue gun and pins
• Decorative scrapbook paper (optional)

Step 1: Harvest and Dry the Blooms

Timing is important when cutting sunflowers for preserving. Choose fully opened blooms still in their prime without browning or wilting. Use gardening shears or scissors to snip the stems a few inches below the flower heads.

Next, place the fresh sunflowers in an airtight plastic container or paper bag along with several silica gel packets. The silica will absorb moisture from the blooms and speed up the drying process. Allow 1-2 weeks for thorough drying time checking periodically and replacing the gel packs if saturated. Proper drying helps the flowers retain their shape and color vibrancy when framed.

Step 2: Prep the Frame

While your sunflowers dry, prep the frame. Look for a shadowbox style frame at least 1-2 inches deep to allow space for the flower heads. Remove the back panel and decorate it with scrapbook paper, photos, or other embellishments if desired. Keep in mind the sunflower placement as you decorate.

Step 3: Mount the Sunflowers

Once fully dried, mount the sunflowers on the frame’s backing panel using pins or hot glue. Carefully arrange the blooms how you want them to appear in the final display. Lightly coat with artist fixative spray and allow to dry to seal in the color. Avoid over-spraying.

Step 4: Finish and Display

Insert the decorated backing panel into the frame, secure it in place, and add the hanging hardware if using for wall display. Find a spot out of direct sunlight and away from humidity fluctuations to help preserve your framed flowers.

Tips for Success

Follow these tips for framed sunflowers that will last for years:

• Inspect dried blooms for lingering moisture and re-dry if needed before framing
• Use heavy duty wall anchors for framed sunflowers to prevent accidents
• Periodically check for degradation and replace silica gel in the frame as needed
• Handle frames gently and keep away from temperature/humidity swings

Get Creative with Display

Looking for framing inspiration? Here are some fun ways to show off your preserved sunflowers:

• Feature a solo oversized bloom in a square frame for dramatic effect
• Create a collage with multiple smaller blooms in an asymmetrical layout
• Mix with other dried flowers like baby’s breath or lavender for textural contrast
• Incorporate into a shadowbox diorama with photos or mementos
• Group coordinated frames over a mantle or bed for a statement wall

Keep Summer’s Beauty on Display

With this simple drying and framing process, you can keep gorgeous sunflowers around even after summer ends. Preserving these iconic flowers in shadowboxes allows you to enjoy their warm, joyful vibes year-round. It also makes a thoughtful handmade gift. Bring the essence of summer into your home decor with framed sunflowers.