For those of you who love Wildflowers,why not preserve them so you can enjoy them longer. The Banksia blooms are really good when the collar is around half an inch high all the way around the flower.Cut them to the length you want them and then immerse them in glycerin.After the stem turns black,normally six to ten days that means all the moisture has been replaced by the glycerin. Take them out and let them drip dry.They will then remain perfect for around ten years.Some of the Wildflowers can be dried in a microwave oven but only in small bursts.Zap then on the lowest heat for about two minutes and then leave them in the open air to take in some moisture and zap them again. Keep doing this until they are dried.If you do them too quickly they will just turn to powder.
If you want to dye them use a vegetable dye and change the temperature to get the effect you want. i.e. if you use a Burgundy dye in cold water it will turn them pink,if you heat it up to 80 degrees and dip them they will turn deep Burgundy and all the temps. in between will give varying shades.
Topiarius.