Get the Feed

customize your newsletter

Choose what you receive and when you receive it!

Gaiam_towels_160x133
hagl_da

How to Preserve the Colors of Fall Foliage

posted by Annie B. Bond Jun 25, 2004 8:26 am
How to Preserve the Colors of Fall Foliage
  • add to favorites
  • print
  • bookmark
12 comments

By Annie B. Bond, executive producer of Care2's Green Living.

I saw the most beautiful peach-red leaf today, one of the most beautiful fall foliage colors I have ever seen. This is a leaf I want to keep!

My mother had a trick she used to preserve the color in fall foliage leaves, and I have since seen this technique suggested in old folk formula books. It really works, and the leaves stay on the branches and keep their color for weeks. I’m happy to share this tip, and use it myself. Here is her secret:

All you need is a little bit of vegetable glycerin, water, and newly cut branches with colorful leaves. Just put about 1/2 a teaspoon into a vase full of water, stir, and then add the branches. With this, the leaves stay on the branches and keep their color for weeks. Refresh the water and glycerin every week. Pure vegetable glycerin is available in health food stores.

More on Crafts & Hobbies (64 articles available)
More from Annie B. Bond (3190 articles available)

12 comments
  • add to favorites
  • print
  • bookmark

12 comments

add your comment »
12 Comments       add a comment »
Lori M.

Will someone please give me detailed, step by step instrunctions on how to preserve leaves & other flowers before matting them under glass to hang on the wall? Any information would be welcomed & greatly appreciated. Thanks

Jacqueline Jakle

I am from Pennsylvania, where there are some beautiful autumn days to enjoy. They are in my memory because I live in California, the land of almost perpetual daily sunshine. The beautiful leaves turning all of their magical colors just makes my heart smile. I miss the four seasons, one blending into the next. Being able to preserve some beautiful autumn leaves would be wonderful for me.

Steph A.

I like to collect fall leaves and place them on top of my table cloth on my kitchen table. I then cover them with a clear piece of vinyl. It makes a nice change in the kitchen, and it has helped my kids learn their colours and the names of various trees and how to identify their leaves.

Alan B Steele

The glycerin should preserve the foliage without having to change the mixture. Once the foliage has absorbed the mixture the water content will evaporate leaving the glycerin behind as a preservative.
try a stronger mix and use a warmer water base, leave in a sunny position so that the mixture is taken up faster and the water eventually will evaporate. Take the foliage out and leave to dry.

Lynn Huggins - Cooper

I laminate autumn leaves, cut round the shapes and hang them from fishing line in front of the window to catch the breeze - I still have leaves from over 10 years ago preserved in this fashion. Slightly less colourful than in the first couple of years, but still beautiful.

Lynn

Maresa Tedrick

When a friend gave me some beautiful pressed autumn leaves, I placed the leaves between a piece of clear textured Contact Paper and the inside window glass of my front door. This created a very unique privacy screen. They have been up for almost 5 years, perhaps not quite as colorful as they first were but still very beautiful.

Ruth Lin

Thanks for all the share. I will try too.

Jan Leslie

Will this method work on roses? i'd love to preserve a rose [planted this yr in memory of my dear pet who died this year]; it finally bloomed, one day before her birthday. i have tried silica gel, with no luck at all. i have only 2 more rosebuds left on the bush. tks! jan.

Chelsea Jewett

wow...I've never heard of either of these, but I plan to try them both as soon as I can! Thanx!

Nancy Mccabe

Me too, I remember that wax paper thing, we did it for a school project. Thanks!
nan

Please enter your comment.
1500 characters remaining

who's talking about this story?

Disclaimer: Care2.com does not warrant and shall have no liability for information provided in this newsletter or on Care2.com. Each individual person, fabric, or material may react differently to a particular suggested use. It is recommended that before you begin to use any formula, you read the directions carefully and test it first. Should you have any health care-related questions or concerns, please call or see your physician or other health care provider.

2440

Gaiam_towels_300x250
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters