If you’re a natural dyer, botanical printer, or nature-inspired artist, creating a herbarium is one of the most meaningful tools you can have in your studio. It’s not just a collection of pressed plants—it’s a personal archive, a seasonal record, and a creative companion that helps you stay grounded in your process.

I use my herbarium to record plants I grow, forage, and work with throughout the year. Over time, it’s become an invaluable studio reference for dye and botanical print results.

🌿 Why Keep a Herbarium?

A herbarium allows you to:

🌿 Track which plants produce the best colors or impressions

🌿 Understand seasonal shifts in plant behavior

🌿 Remember which plants you used, where they came from, and how they responded on fabric

🌿 Stay inspired by nature’s subtle beauty in all seasons

Whether it’s a backyard bloom or a leaf gathered on a walk, each addition tells a story.

✨ How to Press Flowers and Leaves

To preserve plants for your herbarium, it’s important to dry them thoroughly and press them with care:

1. 1. Choose Fresh Specimens: Harvest flowers or leaves that are dry, clean, and free of moisture (early morning dew can lead to mold if not dried first).

2. 2. Layer the Paper: Place your plant material between two sheets of absorbent paper—blotting paper, parchment, or even coffee filters work well.

3. 3. Add Pressure: Sandwich your paper layers inside a heavy book or place them in a flower press.

4. 4. Let Time Do the Work: Leave them under consistent pressure for about 2–3 weeks, checking occasionally to ensure no mold has formed. It helps to change papers each week.

Patience pays off—when fully dry, your plants will be flat, preserved, and ready for mounting.

📔 My Process for Creating Each Herbarium Page

Once my plants are pressed, I arrange them inside a bound herbarium notebook.  (I used Moleskins A3 watercolor notebook)  I label each entry with:

• Botanical name (if known)

• Common name

• Date and location of collection

• Notes about its dye or print performance

To attach the specimens, I use acid-free linen tape—it's archival, secure, and won’t damage the plant over time. This keeps the natural pieces intact while still allowing the page to breathe.

🌼 A Living Tool for Artists and Gardeners

This herbarium isn’t just pretty—it’s practical. I refer to it often when choosing plants for eco-printing or dyeing fabric. Over the years, it’s become a seasonal time capsule, filled with the essence of my outdoor studio.

If you’re curious to begin your own, I walk through the entire process step-by-step in my latest YouTube video. From pressing to labeling and arranging pages, it’s a gentle and grounding practice I hope you’ll enjoy

Keeping a herbarium helps you slow down, observe, and deepen your creative practice. I hope you enjoy watching my video on the process and are inspired to begin your own.

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