Potpourri is a mixture of dried flower petals kept in a jar or in sachets to perfume a room or a drawer. It can be used as a chemical-free alternative to air fresheners in a can. Always use flower petals that haven't been sprayed with insecticides or other chemicals. When using rose petals, choose varieties that are highly scented; many modern hybrid roses have little or no perfume.

Gather petals early in the day after the morning dew has left them, but before noon time. Spread the petals out in thin layers on top of newspapers and set them in an airy room to dry. Stir every day or so to allow them to dry evenly without mildewing. If you collect your flower petals on different days, make new batches and don't mix them.

You can also dry the outer portion of citrus peels to add to your potpourri. Citrus takes a little longer to dry, but adds a wonderful freshness. Anise seed, lavender oil or dried branches, rosemary branches, bay leaves, curry twigs, mint leaves, jasmine, carnations, sweet viola (viola odorata), gardenia flowers, lemon or orange flowers, cinnamon sticks, heliotrope, lemon verbena, lemon balm, and rose geranium leaves are other possible additions to your fragrance palette. Explore new scent combinations, always choosing naturally scented plant materials and food-grade flavoring or essential oils.

When the petals and other ingredients are completely dry, it's time to make potpourri! Combine equal parts of ground mace, allspice, cloves, cinnamon, and ground orris root (a kind of iris). The orris root helps maintain the scent of the potpourri over time and is an important addition to the potpourri. Attar of Roses has also been used as a fragrance enhancer.

In a jar (decorative canning jars work well for this purpose) layer petals, peels, etc., 1/2 inch deep. Sprinkle lightly with non-iodized table salt and the spice/orris root mixture. Add another layer and sprinkle again; continue in this way until the jar is filled.

Close the jar tightly and allow the mixture to stand for several weeks, stirring occasionally, then it will be ready to use. Open the jar when you want to release fragrance to fill the room.

Fabric sachets can be filled with potpourri as an alternative to jars. Tie them with fancy ribbons or raffia and use the scented sachets to perfume drawers and cabinets. Sachet packets will be found in most craft stores, or they can be easily made by sewing together two sides (bottom and one side) of a square of light fabric such as cheesecloth, old curtain fabric, birdseye, unbleached muslin, or other cotton.

Submitted by: CM