| Most people enjoy the scent and beauty of fresh | | | | try a wet potpourri, as the scent is more apparent |
| roses. In fact, they are one of the most popular | | | | and lasts much longer. Wet potpourri is usually made |
| garden flowers grown. However, once cut, a rose | | | | by carefully drying and curing rose petals in salt for |
| has a short life; soon it will fade and dry out. For | | | | approximately two weeks. |
| those that love roses, this doesn't mean that you | | | | Other ingredients that are added, include spices, rose |
| have to throw away the flower. In fact, making rose | | | | oil and a fixative agent such as dry lavender, oak |
| potpourri is a great way to preserve the petals and | | | | moss, sandalwood or orrisroot (available in chopped |
| keep enjoying the scent well after nature has taken | | | | form at many herb and spice shops). Seal the |
| its course. Rose potpourri is easy to make and | | | | potpourri in a glass jar and allow it to meld and cure |
| anyone can learn to do it. | | | | for a month. After that time, the scent will have |
| The first step of the process is to select the best | | | | developed and the potpourri is ready to use. Allow |
| roses for the job. Not all roses are created equal and | | | | yourself a learning curve as you figure out the |
| there are pros and cons to each kind. The popular | | | | process, and use a good recipe. By experimenting |
| red rose probably looks the nicest when completely | | | | with the different fixative agents and spices you can |
| dried; however, its fragrance is often weak. Orange | | | | create scents that are either feminine or masculine in |
| and yellow roses have the strongest scent, but can | | | | fragrance. |
| discolor when dried, making them more suitable for | | | | There many uses for this delightfully scented |
| wet potpourri. You also need to begin the drying | | | | potpourri. It can be added to pillow stuffing or made |
| process at the peak time, which is usually when the | | | | into pomanders and hung in your closet. They are |
| rose is about halfway open. Finally, when making rose | | | | easy to make into sachets that can be added to any |
| potpourri, the drying process is critical. Keep in mind | | | | drawer or given as gifts for friends and family. |
| that rose petals will shrink significantly. It's also crucial | | | | Sachets are small bags or envelopes made of satin |
| to stay away from metal as a mixing medium. Glass | | | | and tied with ribbon. Another clever idea you can use |
| or plastic are much more suitable. Also, use only plain | | | | is to place a small amount of the fragrant mixture in |
| salt if called for in your recipe. | | | | a linen or lace handkerchief and tie the four corners |
| There are two types of potpourri: wet and dry. Dry | | | | together with a satin bow. These are especially nice |
| potpourri uses petals that are completely dried- if you | | | | to use in your lingerie or linen drawers. Roses are |
| applied pressure, they would crumble. The other | | | | only in bloom for so long. However, making rose |
| ingredients added are also dry. This is the easiest | | | | potpourri is a fantastic way to preserve your rose |
| type to use with your first attempt at making rose | | | | petals and enjoy their scent long after their bloom |
| potpourri. However, it can be worth the trouble to | | | | has faded. |