b'garden ideapaint ReseneArranging Blanched PinkReseneflowersWeathered Orange Choose a mix of the lily Resenedifferent flowerslong Half Smalt Blue and skinny flowerheads Resene(such as lavender and Pot Pourri salvias) mixed with big round blooms (such as hydrangeas and sunflowers). Play with different stem heights Budding artists can go a step further than a still-life and paintfor effect but the whole arrangement, from top the flowers themselves. Make your flowers last all year by dryingto bottom, should be two and a half times the blooms and painting them in beautiful Resene colours.height of the vase.You need: architectural heads (think poppies, lotus and globeGrowingDried flowers and foliage in different shapes artichokes), which can be painted and displayed with and sizes poise and grace. hydrangeas Mini portable spray unit (use a Colorpak portablePick your plants on a dry day and hang themHydrangeas are idealspray unit from Resene, alternatively, useupsidedowninawarmroomawayfromdirectfor picking and drying, paintbrushes) sunlight. Avoid places that are damp or especiallyPlant in a partiallySmall artists paintbrush shaded spotthey will sunnythe colours of your flowers will diminish ingrow in the sun, butDrop cloth full sun. Tie in small bundles to drylarger bundlestheir flowers will brownResene testpots or paints (Jane used Karen Walkermay encourage mould in the centre. quickly in hot weather. Chalk Colour tinted to Resene Blanched Pink, ReseneOnce completely dry, lay out each flower singlyDig in plenty of compost Weathered Orange and Resene Weathered Yellow) on a drop cloth and, using a portable spray unit,before planting. Dried floral arrangements are becoming popular paint the flowers and foliage your chosen colours. AHydrangeas thrive in fertile soil. The best time and painted dried floral arrangements even more so.portable spray unit is not absolutely necessary, but it isto pick hydrangeas for Dried flowers and paint are a match made in heaven.a lot easier for busy flowerheads such as hydrangeas.drying is mid to late Dried blooms painted in Resene paints last infinitelyAlternatively, you can place some paint in a wide, deepsummer. They last longer than a fresh posy and their fragrance can becontainer and dip the flowerheads into it.longer in the vase than topped up with a few drops of essential oil. Use a small artists paintbrush to touch up anythose picked earlier.To get the best from your flowers, pick blooms (orbare or hard-to-reach spots. Resene foliage) with a low moisture content. How can youHang the painted flowers to dry before arrangingWeathered Yellowtell? If a plant feels somewhat squishy, it is likely toin a vase. have more moisture. If it feels slightly dry to the touch, it will most likely dry well. Plants that dry well include statice, gypsophila, artemisia(foritssilverfoliage),strawflowers (Helichrysumbracteatum),hydrangeas,proteas, honestyseedheads,lavender,celosia,eucalyptus foliage,craspedia,achillea,loveliesbleeding (Amaranthus caudatus), roses, clematis seed heads, globe thistles and globe amaranth. These can all be grown in your garden. But think, too, of flowers and foliage that can be foraged. The charming bunny tails that grow close to beaches are perfect for a dried flower arrangement, as are the heads of toetoe or pampas grass. Seed heads can be striking too. Look for dried Right: Give your dried blooms a new lease on life with Karen Walker Chalk Colour paints, available from Resene ColorShops. The vase, hydrangea and protea are in Resene Blanched Pink. The pampas, small seed heads and foliage are in Resene Weathered Orange. The achillea and bunny tails are in Resene Weathered Yellow. The table is in Resene Half Smalt Blue and the wall is in Resene Pot Pourri.words and image Jane Wrigglesworth73'