Question: I've read that celosia flowers can be dried to make an arrangement. How do I go about drying the flower heads? I have the plumes and the smaller rooster cone shape. I also have some salvia--can I dry this as well?

Answer: Both celosia and salvia can be dried. The best method is to hang them upside down in a well-ventilated, dark, dry area, like an attic space. First, remove all unnecessary foliage to speed up the drying process. Tie a few stems together with a twist tie or rubber band, and hang them from a rafter or a cord strung across the room. Blue or mealycup sage (S. farinacea) and clary sage (S. sclarea) are best for air drying; gentian sage (S.patens) is better dried in slica gel.