Most flowers are suitable for preserving by pressing, but there are some colour changes that take place during pressing. Most roses will deepen in colour, i.e. red roses will press to burgundy, and red flowers in general will press darker. White Singapore orchids, lily of the valley and roses will press to soft cream, although white carnations, freesias, Calla and Longiflorum lilies generally press to ivory. Some pink flowers, including lilies and alstromeria will press soft mauve.

BERRIES

Berries can be pressed very successfully and hypericum berries are especially good in autumn bouquets.

FOLIAGE

All green foliage presses well, but green has a tendency to lose its colour quicker than flowers and other colours of foliage. The grass 'Ruscus' is used extensively in wedding bouquets. It is a dark green elongated oval leaf, and, although it presses well, it is quite hard to place in a bouquet picture. It can look solid and unnatural against the soft delicate form of some flowers. However it is fine if you are going for a dramatic effect, used with large flowers with a strong shape, such as the larger lilies. Feathery foliage is lovely in bouquet pictures - fennel is particularly nice.

Autumn coloured foliage will hold its colour well and looks spectactular in bouquets. Silver/grey foliage also holds its colour well and is harmonious with pastel colour flowers, such as dusky pinks, particularly when mounted on a dark background.