How to Make Paper Gardenias

Gardenia blooms are very fragrant and often used in perfume-making, but the petals are fragile causing this flower to turn color quickly. With this DIY paper gardenia you can have the elegance of the gardenia in a long-lasting form.

Download and print the PDF for the gardenia petals onto white or cream paper and then print the leaf template onto green paper. Cut out the flower petals. Use the edge of your scissors to curl each petal on the #1 and #2 flowers, vertically and horizontally (two curls per petal).

Bend petals of #1 into a cone shape, and overlap in the same direction to form a pinwheel. Rotate the cone in your fingers several times to tighten the shape.

Turn the cone over and with the edge of your fingernail, crush the five corners of the bottom of the cone to create a round shape.

Glue the cone into center of the #2 flower.

Rotate the petals of #2 flower around inside cone, repeating direction of petals and shape.

Turn over and again crush corners of bottom with the edge of your fingernail to create a more circular shape.

Use the edge of the scissors to curl petals #3 through #6.

Curl each petal edge or tip again in a different direction. Gardenia petals tend to be organic and uneven. Each petal can be different and will look more natural with variety.

Glue petals #3 and #4 together placing the petals so they align between each other. Do the same with petals #5 and #6.

Glue the #3 and #4 combo pieces into the #5 and #6, again rotating so you can see all 12 of the petal tips.

Center and glue the petal cone into the petal stack.

Gently open the #2 cone and fold the stacked petals up into the nesting cone.

Fold the leaf in half and use the edge of your scissors to curl both edges of leaf.

Turn the gardenia over and glue the leaf onto the back with the fold pointing toward you.

For a single gardenia, glue a hair clip, mini clothespin, floral magnet or ribbon to the back.

For the stemmed gardenia, cut a round green circle and make a slit from one side to the center.

Make a spiral for the end of a floral wire and slide the wire between the slit on the paper circle.

Glue the paper disk onto the back of the gardenia.

Starting at the base of the flower, wrap the floral tape down the wire, gently stretching to activate tacky texture.

Use paper gardenias to decorate your party or home.

The sculpted metallic petals will last a long time and make a perfect keepsake for a special gift.