How to Dry Hydrangea Blooms!

Hydrangeas are among the easiest of all flowers to dry.

Even with the increased popularity of silk flowers, many people still prefer natural elements in their arrangements. As a result, flower preservation remains a popular hobby. Hydrangeas are readily available for drying, whether you have your own bush or buy blooms from a local florist. The lovely hydrangea blooms are available in several 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. Select the flowers to dry. The easiest species to work with is the PeeGee, a common type of hydrangea with a big branch. The PeeGee bloom goes through four stages of colors from white to green, pink and finally brown, which gives a wonderful variety to your dried arrangements. Pick the flowers when a burgundy tone forms on the tips, and the flowers on the branch are firm to the touch. Pick blooms with a defined conical shape as they hold their shape well when dried.

2. Decide how you will use the dried blooms before drying them. 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, sometimes they explode and all you have left is loose petals. If you dry them first and then decide to use them in a wreath, spray the blooms with a list misting of spray adhesive to keep the blooms together before attempting to make the wreath.

3. Hang the flower blooms upside down. This basic procedure works with almost all flowers, but the hydrangea does not require this method unless the stems are thin and weak. Expose the flowers to warm, dry air in a dark location for easy, satisfying results. This is the oldest and simplest method and is commonly referred to as the "hang and dry" method. The plant material is collected and tied together with string and then hung upside down in a warm, dark, dry place. The darkness helps preserve the flower color.

4. Wait until the blooms are in their prime to pick, and you can place the booms in a vase just as you would if you were going to display them in your home. Strip off the leaves. Place about 2 tablespoons of water in the bottom of the vase for every two stalks of flowers. Keep the vase undisturbed and out of direct sunlight, preferably in a cool, dark room until the blooms are 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.

References

• P. Allen Smith Garden Home: Drying Hydrangeas
• North Dakota State Extension: Questions on Hydrangea

Resources

• University of Georgia Cooperative Extension: PeeGee Hydrangea