Potpourri is lovely, and can be used in many ways. It is not a mysterious mixture created from costly herbs selling only in boutiques. You can make your own quickly and inexpensively with foliage, petals, herbs and wood shavings you may already have around your home. This guide is designed to give you some ideas for creating several potpourri mixtures and ways to use them.

Rose, carnation, pansie, gardenia, and lavender are just a few common flowers whose petals dry well and retain the color and scent when added to potpourri. Some other flowers are not suitable at all for such uses. Iris for example does not dry well, but rather becomes sticky forming a glue-like substance that is not a good choice for the task. It is best to experiment with any new petal before adding it to you mixture. Collect them from your flower garden, save and dry flowers from floral arrangements. As a friend with a large flower garden to save her trimmings for you.

For color, you may want to also consider including dry leaves as well. Rose leaves are quite lovely when combined with flower petals. Many fern leaves also work well as will a variety of others. Again, it is best to try any new leaf you would like to add to your mixture.

Once you have settled on the petals with or without leaves included, you will want to use a good drying method. I have had great success spreading the petals on newspaper in a single layer. Flowers can be hung heads down in a cool dry place until dry then the entire head or individual petals can be used. Make sure whatever you use is absolutely dry before including it in your mix. It is very important not to close the mixture in a jar or other air tight container. Store in a basket, or paper bag. Or display as you create the perfect mixture. It can be enjoyed as it developes and changes with each new addition.

Some people like to bury blossums in Tidy Cat or Fresh Step so they can produce miniture whole flowers. If you decide to use this method get a plastic shoe box and fill it 1/3 full of the product. Carefully arrange the stems so they don't touch one another and cover with the product. It is very important not to disturb the flowers for 10 days to 2 weeks. Then carefully remove the tiny, perfect flowers after they are fully dry. After using the product once or twice you can dry it out in by spreading it on a baking sheet in a warm oven for an hour or so and it is ready to use again.

When you have dried several cups of the potpourri mixture you will want it to be frangrant and long lasting. Adding rose hips, camomile blossums, lavender buds, orange peel or other dried herbs can help hold the aroma in the petals for a long time. Many people add a small amount of orris root (iris root) which is considered by many to be the best way to bind in the aroma.

You may want to add additional scent to the mixture as well. Don't use perfumes or colognes. Select a favorite pure essential oil and sprinkle a few drop into the mixture and toss it carefully to blend through out.

Now you are ready to use your potpourri. You may want to put some into a small bowl, large sea shell, or wooden box. Stitch up a small lacy pouch and fill it loosely with the mixture. Fill a small pillow with the mixture and place it on a night table or in a guest room. Put a small amount in the center of a vintage hanky, pull up the corners and tie with a bow. Fill a small gauze drawstring bags for a more simple touch. 

Add a ribbon and hang over a hanger in your closet, or tuck in a drawer. Add to a gift package. There are dozens of other ways to use these delightful creations.