For carrying purposes, pansies are best cut stem and all so several can be clutched in the fist. Snip off the stems, but leave the little green calyx that holds the petals together. Lay them flat between sheets of wax or tissue paper, arranging them so the petals of each flower don't overlap between neighbors. Then press them between the pages of the heaviest book in your library. If you can't find a suitably weighty volume, stack several books on top.
Encyclopedias are good for the purpose.
Patience is necessary for pressing pansies. The book shouldn't be opened for an initial week or two while the flowers are in the process of drying. The longer you leave them, the better obviously, you want to select an encyclopedia that doesn't see constant action. Long after you've forgotten that they're hiding between the pages on kniphofia and koelreuteria, pressed pansies will come floating to the floor like so much confetti. Read our Privacy Policy .