How to Dry Hydrangea Blooms!

The lovely hydrangea blooms are available in many colors and make wonderful additions to wreaths and dried floral arrangements. It is easy to dry these blooms and they last for years.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. 
    

   Even with the increased popularity of silk flowers, many people still prefer natural elements in a lifelike manner in their arrangements. Flower preservation has become a popular hobby. Hydrangeas are readily available for drying whether you have your own bush or buy blooms from your local florist. The easiest species to work with is the Peegee, a common type of hydrangea with a bigger branch. The Peegee bloom goes through four stages of colors from white, to green to pink to brown, which gives a wonderful variety to your dried arrangements. Pick your flowers when a burgundy tone forms on the tips and the flowers on the branch are firm to the touch. It is important to pick blooms with a defined conical shape as they hold their shape better when dried.

2. Once you have selected your blooms to be dried then you must decide what you will do with the blooms after drying. If you are going to work the blooms into a wreath, it is better to make the wreath when the blooms are fresh and pliable. If you dry the blooms first and then try to work with them many times they will 'explode' and all you are left with is petals. If you do let them dry and decide to use them in a wreath, spray the blooms with a little bit of spray adhesive to keep the blooms together before attempting to make your wreath. Just a misting is all that is required!

3. Air-Drying: Hanging the flower blooms upside down to dry is basic to most flower drying procedures, but the hydrangea doe not require this method unless the stems are very thin and weak. Expose the flowers to warm, dry air in a dark location for easy but satisfying results. This is the oldest and simplest method, and is commonly referred to as the "hang and dry" method. The plant material to be dried is collected, tied together with string, and simply hung upside down in a warm, dark, dry place. The darkness helps preserve the flower color.

4. Vase Method:
   If you wait until the blooms are in their prime to pick, you can place the booms in a vase just like you would do it you were going to display them in your home. Make sure you strip off the leaves. Then place about 2 tablespoons of water for every 2 stalks of flowers in the bottom of the vase. Make sure you keep the vase out of direct sunlight, preferably in a cool dark room until the blooms are perfectly dry.

Tips & Warnings

• The green and burgundy tones stay vibrant for up to a year.
• Hydrangeas do best when allowed to dry a bit on the plant before harvesting.
• Experiment with harvesting from August through October depending on your climate zone.
• Do not dry flowers where children and pets can get into the blooms. Children sometimes think the colorful blooms look like cotton candy.

[sanderdoe]

on 4/18/2009 Wonderful article on how to dry Hydrangea blooms! I've tried it but this year I will use some of your suggestions. Thanks! 5*