Article: Preserve Leaves with Glycerin

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For those of you beginning to enjoy Autumn foliage ...

(As I learned last year, the leaves on SOME trees change here around the

end of December *lol*)

 

*Smile*

Chris (list mom)

 

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Preserve Leaves with Glycerin

 

 

Contact: Diane Relf, Extension Specialist, Environmental Horticulture

 

 

Posted November 1997

 

 

http://www.ext.vt.edu/departments/envirohort/factsheets3/general/AUG87PR

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Foliage for use in winter arrangements may be preserved now by using

glycerin. The leaves of many plants make interesting arrangements even

without flowers particularly when combined with seed heads and cones.

 

The procedure is simple. All you need to do is stand the stems or leaves

in a mixture of one part glycerin and two parts water. Midsummer is a

good time to get started on this project because the leaves are in an

active stage of growth and will absorb the glycerin rapidly. Absorption

usually takes about two or three weeks.

 

Many kinds of leaves can be preserved by the glycerin process. Leaves

from trees such as beech, birch, peach, plum, poplar are satisfactory.

Of the shrubs try barberry, forsythia, blueberry, privet, rhododendron

and rose. The leaves of many perennial herbaceous plants can be used

including aspidistra, canna, coral bells, geraniums, iris, ivy and

lily-of-the-valley.

 

If you are unsure of preserving the leaves of a certain plant, first

test them while they are in the green stage. Use leaves which will

exhibit a pleasing autumn color or those plants which have the structure

or texture you plan to emphasize in the arrangement. Prepare a mixture

of glycerin and test possible selections by letting the green leaves

absorb the solution. If the stems readily uptake the glycerin while

green, success should also be obtainable on foliage cut in the fall.

 

Select only perfect specimens and wash the foliage with water to remove

dirt or spray residue. If the material has woody stems, cut off the last

inch with a sloping cut before starting the treatment. Stand the stems

or leaves upright in a jar of the glycerin solution. The leaves of small

herbaceous plant material such as ivy and lily-of-the-valley, can be

submerged in a half and half glycerin-water solution.

 

Some leaves will change color as the solution is absorbed. Allow the

stems to remain in the solution until the color is uniform to the edge

of the leaf. This indicates that the absorption is complete. Good air

circulation and warm weather will speed up the absorption. Wipe the

leaves occasionally with a cloth dampened with the solution. This will

help prevent drying before the glycerin reaches the edge of the leaves.

The leaves may wilt if left in the solution too long. If this occurs,

wipe them off and hang upside down to dry.

 

The effect of the glycerin treatment on the color of the dried foliage

depends on the plant and its relative maturity. For good fall color,

leaves should be collected as they approach their peak color. Carefully

observe the gradual change in the leaves for proper timing. Waiting too

long will result in a dropping of the leaves.

 

Treatment at different stages of maturity can result in different

colors. Barberry leaves gathered in the spring will turn red, those

gathered in late summer and fall will turn brown. Beech, crabapple, plum

and forsythia retain their natural color if treated early in the season

otherwise a brown shade will also occur. With some leaves such as

flowering plum, a few drops of red food coloring added to the solution

will give a glossy red color.

 

Leaves preserved by glycerin should be stored in boxes to protect them

from damage and dirt until use. Before storage, wipe the leaves

carefully with a soft cloth to remove excess moisture. Check the boxes

frequently during the first few weeks, to be sure there is no leakage

from the leaves which might cause mold.

 

(Prepared by Wesley Judkins, Extension Horticulturist, Department of

Horticulture, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0327)