You may get a bouquet for a variety of reasons: weddings, sympathy, anniversary, birthday, or “just because” flowers. In any case, rather than throwing them away when they start to wilt, you can preserve their charming fragrance—and the special moment or sentiment that they represent—by turning them into potpourri. Below is a guide that outlines steps to create your own potpourri.

5 Steps to Follow to Make Potpourri

1. Prepare Your Supplies

Place a piece of parchment paper over a sheet tray, and make sure that you have scissors and a small spray bottle. Additionally, gather essential oils or fragrance fixatives that complement your bouquet. For example, if you have roses, look for rose-scented oils. Then, preheat the oven to 200 F.

2. Break the Flowers Apart 

Use whatever bouquet you would like. Fresh flowers make more durable fragrances, but don’t wait any longer if they’ve just started to dry out, which usually happens after about a week after cutting them. Snip the heads from the stems, or pull the petals off. Spread all the pieces evenly across the parchment paper. 

3. Add Personal Touches

You can customize the fragrance according to your tastes. For example, if you enjoy the scent of citrus mixed with flowers, arrange some orange or lemon slices throughout the flower pieces. If you want to create an autumn-inspired mixture, sprinkle everything with a spice, such as cinnamon.

4. Put the Mixture in the Oven

In the spray bottle, add a mixture of essential oils and a small amount of water. Then, spray the pedals until they’re lightly soaked. Place the pan inside the oven until the flowers and plants are crisp, which usually takes about two hours. Make sure to periodically check on the mixture so that it doesn’t burn.

5. Enjoy Your Potpourri

Carefully transfer the potpourri to a small bowl, plate, pouch, or a glass container. Don’t place the mixture in a metal dish, which can compromise the fragrance. Let the scent refresh the room, periodically reinvigorating the potpourri with a tiny splash of essential oil.

You can create potpourri from any bouquet arranged by the talented florists at Madison Avenue Florist Ltd. in Midtown, Manhattan. No matter the occasion, they have the bouquet to match it, featuring a wide variety of both domestic and exotic blooms. This flower shop allows you to customize your bouquet by adding a vase, a fruit basket, a greeting card, or a stuffed animal. To order an arrangement, call (212) 319-0242 or visit them online to browse bouquets.