A process for preserving most kinds of flowers while retaining the natural colors has been developed. The flower is dehydrated in a mixture of at least one dehydrating alcohol, a carboxylic acid, a urea-containing compound, an alkaline citrate, at least one silicone resin (optional), an alkaline formaldehyde sulfoxylate, aluminum or magnesium sulfate, cupric or other transitional metal sulfate, and a buffer for pH 5-7 such as an alkaline phosphate, a lower carboxylic acid, and/or phenol. Following immersion, the flower is dried and, if desired, coated with a silicone resin.