Dry Arrangements : Page 76

In Victorian times there was a vogue for " phantom bouquets " and theseskeletonized leaves are again returning to favour. Certainly they give adelightful touch to a dry arrangement. Magnolia leaves respond well tothis treatment, although I have also tried Galax and old Iris leaves, but ifyou wish to try these you must boil the leaves for thirty minutes in a quartof water to which a teaspoon of soda has been added. After leaving theleaves to cool in the water, they should be spread out on paper and all thefleshy parts should be scraped off with the back of a knife, taking care notto split or tear the leaf. Then place the leaves in some bleach water andleave for an hour, finally rinsing them in clear water.