Learn how to make a herbarium journal, its history, and why they are used today. Make your own by collecting and recording your own plants.
Traditionally, a herbarium was a book of collected raw plant material that had been pressed or preserved to aid in the research of using plants for medicinal purposes. Usually, all parts of the plant were represented, including the roots, stems, leaves, and fruits. The collector would then annotate the page with identification remarks and findings.
Today, a herbarium has evolved into a place where such documentation resides. More of a library or museum with huge data banks of material for education and research. One of the largest Herbaria is the Kew Herbarium, located in England, with more than 6 million specimens. Here in the US, we have several; the two largest are the New York Botanical Herbarium and the US National Herbarium in DC, each housing around three million specimens.
I have always loved beautiful botanical illustrations that show the parts of a particular plant, so I was really interested in learning more about a herbarium.
While researching the topic, I came across several references to Emily Dickinson, the famous poet. Apparently, Emily, at the age of 14, started creating her own herbarium. Currently, you can find a complete color digital facsimile at Harvard University's Houghton Library. I also came across a digital Herbarium at the University of Wisconsin Extension. This digital herbarium has images of real northern Wisconsin plants along with their identifying characteristics.
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From there, it didn't take long to realize that there are many catalogs of herbaria that you can view online. The big ones are Kew Herbarium Catalogue and The C.V. Starr Virtual Herbarium from the New York Botanical Garden.
Make Your Own Modern Herbarium Journal
- Collect some plant specimens of flowers, including the roots, stems, and flowers.
- Use a plant press to flatten and dry the herbarium specimens. Or simply press the plant specimens between blotting paper, like phone book pages or newspaper pages, to help absorb moisture. Then place heavy books or bricks on top until dry.
- Mount them in a notebook with acid-free adhesive like rubber cement or PVA glue. I think a sketch pad or watercolor book would work well. Use tweezers to place small, delicate parts such as flower petals.
- Make a specimen label or hand-write the scientific name and common name, the date collected, plant parts, and any other notes about your collection.
I have a few flowers I pressed for other projects from last year, so I have already started with Alchemilla mollis, or Lady's Mantle.
Here's some of my favorite beebalm. This variety is Monarda 'Blue Stocking' and grows well in the garden.
Another page has some pressed blooms from my lacecap hydrangea and one pretty dark purple calibrachoa or million bells.
It would be fun to fill this book up with all of my plants. It would be wonderful for keeping a record of them all.
More Garden Planning & Crafting
Suz
I was using tape vs pressing them. ... Is pressing them better or longer lasting?
Patti Estep
Suz, not at all. I just helps keep the book flatter but some specimens are too thick to press anyway.
Carole West
I love this idea... When we find our own property this will be a neat to incorporate. Just a fun project to look back on. Maybe I should just begin one now?
Patti Estep
Yes Carole. There is no time like the present. 🙂
Carrie
Hi Patti,
How did you mount them? Thanks!
Patti Estep
Hi Carrie,
I used regular white glue, however, you may want to consider an acid free glue to avoid yellowing over time.
Hope that helps,
Patti
Donna Harvey
Hi Patti, I love Herbs too, I used to study them. They are not only beautiful but useful. That is such a lovely Book, and the idea of drying and framing them would be really pretty hanging a potting shed. Love to see what you come up with for the fall.
Vanessa
This is a great idea and so pretty.
Patti
Thanks Vanessa!
Amy | Canary Street Crafts
I love this idea. I also love vintage botanical illustrations and it would be fun to make my own.
Patti
Hi Amy,
That's exactly what I thought. Maybe I'll post my finished product in the fall.
Thanks for stopping by.
Patti
Charlotte
Hi Patti,
I really enjoyed this post - what a great idea to make your own herbarium. I have always loved the old botanical drawings just like you. I have a small collection of pages, with wild flowers, ripped out from an old botanical book. I bought them on e-bay for a small fee. I will frame them and use them as decoration over a sideboard. Thank you for sharing this great tips and interesting history. I pinned it.
Charlotte - My Green Nook
Patti
Charlotte,
So glad to hear you liked this post.
I love your idea for using the antique wild flower pages.
Thanks for stopping by and the pin.
Patti