HOW TO DRY HYDRANGEAS THE EASY WAY

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!

LARGE CHINOISERIE URN FULL OF BLUE HYDRANGEAS THAT ARE DRY

Graceful and lush, hydrangeas are bursting with big blooms of color and fluff! If dried correctly they also offer year-round enjoyment!

white dried hydrangeas in a mercury glass footed bowl with a tiny white pumpkin on top

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

GORGEOUS SATURATED COLOR ON A DRYING HYDRANGEA

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

VIGNETTE ON A COFFEE TABLE WITH A CONTAINER OF DRIED GREEN HYDRANGEAS

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.

GORGEOUS PURPLE AND GREEN HYDRANGEAS DRYING ON A BUSH

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!

WHITE IRONSTONE CUP WITH DRIED GREEN HYDRANGEA IN IT

Drying hydrangeas using this method will keep the color more vibrant and the heads less fragile than air drying.

DRYING THEM INDOORS WITHOUT WATER

VELVET PUMPKINS SITTING IN THE MIDDLE OF GREEN DRIED HYDRANGEAS

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!

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