Potpourri can look as good as it smells, and should do just that. Whilst you can get away with a potpourri creation containing only floral petals, adding other substances provides not only a better visual effect, but a wider sense of aroma too. Leaves, flowers, barks, buds, roots and mosses can all be utilized for a pleasing creative mixture.
Generally, you should purchase and/or store ingredients in separate sealed containers until you are ready to mix your potpourri. Using a fixative such as orris root or oak moss is recommended, as this will provide a stable base to absorb the selected oils and aromas. This inclusion extends the life of the scent, providing you with longer lasting potpourri.
Adding such ingredients as rose petals, lavender, scented geranium leaves, lemon verbena leaves, citrus peels, rose buds and herbs such as rosemary and cloves - all in dried form - to the fixative, you then add a few drips of your choice of oils. You can choose from oils such as lavender, rose, tangerine, lily-of-the-valley, and hyacinth. You can play around with the scent. If you aim for a citric smell, add dried peel of lime, orange, lemon, grapefuirt, tangerine and mandarin; many of these are additionally available as fragrant oils. If you want a more spicy aroma, try crushed peppercorns, nutmeg and cinnamon.
Storage should be in a glass jar or ceramic container. This is helpful in keeping the aroma stronger for longer. If using glass, you have the additional benefit of beauty whilst saving the scent for special times of use. When using, you can simply remove the top of your container. However, for an extended usage, it is advised that you take a little out to spread upon a receptacle such as a dish when required, saving the strength of the bulk for future usage. You can always add to your mixture, by dropping in a little more oil or a few more petals.
Other than being used as a natural room freshener or romantic scent in the bedroom, potpourri can also be inserted into mesh sachets, folded and sewn cotton handkerchiefs, or un-waxed paper bags for use in a closet or drawer, to pleasantly scent your clothing.
If it is to be used more for décor than aroma, adding a mixture of petal colors and variety of non-petal ingredients is advised. Items such as small pieces of curled bark, whole cloves, pine needles, or unshelled nuts can all add to the visual appeal.
