In early September, I noticed a magazine photo of an attractive wreath fashioned from grapevine and dried flowers. I thought it looked easy to make and would brighten up the house for fall. I had the grapevine, but no dried flowers. When I searched online, I discovered that dried flowers are expensive. You can order ready-made wreaths and arrangements, or you can order flowers and grasses, primarily in large amounts. I couldn’t find what I wanted, so I decided that next spring, I will plant everlastings and dry my own flowers.
Years ago, I planted a small bed of everlastings in our old front garden. I grew several varieties for two or three years, then lost interest and moved on to a new project, as I often do. Still, I remember with fondness the bunches of dainty blossoms hanging upside down to dry.
Everlastings do not belong to one genus. Instead, they are annual and perennial flowers and seed pods that hold their color and shape after drying, often for years. In French, they are cal...