Now is the time to think about drying hydrangeas! We have lots of hydrangeas around our home! So, over the years, I have perfected the drying method! It’s easy to preserve hydrangeas for a year of beauty!
Hydrangeas are a gardener’s delight. They provide a huge punch of color and panache all summer long!
But don’t give up on them at the end of the summer! That’s when they take on another look and almost another life! I think these hydrangeas have the most beautiful look!
Graceful and lush, hydrangeas are bursting with big blooms of color and fluff! If dried correctly they also offer year-round enjoyment!
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO KNOW ABOUT DRYING HYDRANGEAS
It’s all about the timing!
Hydrangeas can be harvested from August to October depending on your location and variety of the plant.
WHEN NOT TO PICK BOOMS FOR DRYING
Let’s start with what not do do first, just so you know!
Do not pick flowers for drying that have freshly bloomed, or after a rain or in the morning when dew is still on them. There is too much moisture in them and they will begin to wilt and die before they dry.
Really, thats the only hard and fast rule about drying these moppy-headed flowers!
THREE EASY WAYS TO DRY BLOOMS
DRYING ON THE BUSH
These gorgeous big flowers dry on a bush dry naturally. The being to turn a different more intense color and their blooms become papery. They can be left on a bush to naturally dry, but if left too long they will eventually turn brown.
BRINGING HYDRANGEAS INDOORS TO DRY
This method combines letting your blooms dry naturally to a point and then bringing them in to finish drying inside.
Here’s how you can know when to bring hydrangeas indoors to dry…
- they will begin to have sepia edges and take on a vintage look
- blooms take on a color you love
- the florets will feel papery because their blooms are losing moisture
- they begin to take on a saturated color or change in color
- cup your hand and touch the flowers to see if they feel a little stiff
When the blooms have dried enough on their bush cut them and strip all the leave off the stems.
Pick the blooms when they turn a color you love and feel somewhat papery.
Fill a vase with two inches of water and add the hydrangeas. Make sure all the stems of the hydrangeas are submerged. Keep an eye on the blooms and water.
The blooms will continue to dry. If the water starts to get stagnant, you will smell it, so replace it to the same water line. The goal is to let the water evaporate naturally.
Keep hydrangeas away from sunlight so they don’t bleach out. When the heads are dry and crisp they are ready! They can be used to decorate and do not need any water!
Drying hydrangeas using this method will keep the color more vibrant and the heads less fragile than air drying.
DRYING THEM INDOORS WITHOUT WATER
You can bring bring in the blooms and let them dry without putting them in water as long as they have almost completely dried on a bush but not to the point they turn brown.
My drying method of choice is to put them in a little water and let the water evaporate.
Hydrangeas are such a beautiful flower and they can be preserved and enjoyed for a year or so!
You might also like…
- HOW TO PLANT HYDRANGEAS IN POT, PLANTERS, AND URNS
- SELF WATERING PLANT FEEDER DIY
- HOW TO KEEP HYDRANGEAS FROM WILTING
- EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CUT HYDRANGEAS
I tried the method where you put them in water and let the water evaporate naturally. I kept the vase in the garage so it was out if the sun. The flowers felt like paper but I couldn’t bring them inside for use as decorations because they kept dropping little drops of something so they would have required constant cleaning of the surface I would put them on. What did I do wrong?
No all blooms have their downside. Give them a good shake. I just vacuum up those little crumbs and enjoy the blooms.
I just found your site after I cut about 100 Hydrangea from my bushes as they were so heavy the bushes were falling over. So beautiful. I have them cut and all over my home now per your instructions. Thank you.
I would like to dry them as will follow your other instructions. Question. The ones I cut now which are are not dry …can I dry them?
When I wait for the others to dry on the bush. Will they fall off? Do I need to spray them once they are dry? I am thinking of making dried arrangements for presents. Do I need to do anything to prevent the leaves from falling while in transit?
Thanks so much. I will be following you for other flowers in my garden.
Hi Judy. I bet your home looks beautiful! It really depends on when you pick your hydrangeas. If they have too much moisture in them they probably won’t dry well. Read the post about what to look for to see if a hydrangea will dry well. I like to partially dry hydrangeas on the bush. When they get slightly papery and turn a more saturated color, that is the time to pick them.
I don’t spray my hydrangeas but you can use a clear fixative to help them stay intact. Hydrangeas are hardier than you think!
Have fun with your pretty hydrangeas, Judy!
I was working in WI on a travel assignment and I found a beautiful strawberry/cream hydrangea bush in front of a flooring store. I went over on a Sunday and trimmed me several blooms and dried them in the car as I was in a hotel. I still use them 5 years later. I love the blooms as we do not have them in S. FL.
I’ve seen them too! And they are stunning! What a fun job PC
Hydrangeas are one of my favorite flowers.I used to dry them all the time but never heard of putting them in some water to let them dry naturally.They are beautiful either way.
They are so beautiful! This morning as soon as the dew dries off of our big fluffy hydrangea plant outside I’ll bring some in and start drying them.
I have used Dried Hydrangeas in wreaths and also my Christmas tree. Found the secret before working with them was to soften them by putting them in the microwave for a few seconds. They were really pretty on an all natural tree and may do it again this year now that you reminded me of years past Christmas decorations.
Hi Kathy! I’ve never heard of doing that! I can’t wait to give it a try! Thanks so much for the tip.