Learning how to dry hydrangea is simple and the flowers last for months. Indoors, boil water and pour it into a cup or any container. I love hydrangeas and I dry about 30 of my Limelights are a clip. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Don’t smush the blooms though…make sure they get plenty of air. Once you dry the papery blooms, you might wonder how to use them. This article has been viewed 83,204 times. –Once dry, take the hydrangeas outside to spray with an acrylic clear coat. Save the silica gel in a plastic container for the next time you want to dry flowers. I had so much fun and made the paintings in 2 ways because I don’t want to stop! Hydrangeas add fullness to any floral arrangement. I slammed them into a hot car trunk, hung them up-side-down in a dry attic, and placed them in water that gradually evaporated. ** Step 2: Strip off all the leaves and place into a vase of water. Click here: How to Dry Hydrangeas for the tutorial. Keep reading to learn how to paint hydrangeas using the One Stroke method developed by artist and teacher Donna Dewberry. They enjoy deep watering at least once a week, especially in dry weather. Dried hydrangeas – how I ended up with so many. You can even use them in your wedding floral arrangements. To dry hydrangeas, start by removing any discolored parts and cut the stems down to about an inch from the base of each bloom. It might sound counterintuitive to dry flowers using water, but allowing hydrangeas to desiccate slowly helps them hold their color and shape (even the stems end up sturdier when dried this way). Be mindful not to overstuff your vase with stems, as hydrangea dry best when given room to "breathe.". You could try to add different natural fertilizers, because it might be the soil that is depleted of essential nutrients. My Mother in law dried some of the hydrangeas from our wedding display whilst we were on honeymoon, which has made for both a lovely keepsake that's now part of the kitchen. 1. ‘Big Ben’ panicle hydrangea (H. paniculata ‘Big Ben’, Zones 3–8) Of all the panicle types, these blooms dry the most intense shade of fuchsia. Hydrangeas are one of those florals that take almost no effort to preserve—they dry in about two weeks' time and can last for up to a year. Open the container and slowly pour the contents onto newspaper. As the days pass, allow the water to evaporate completely from the vase. This process will usually take about two or three weeks—at the end, your hydrangeas should feel dry to the touch and the stems should be able to snap off easily. The best way to dry hydrangeas is to let them dry on the bush. Be picky while cutting – drying emphasizes imperfections in the blossoms. Finally, put the lid on the container and leave the blooms undisturbed for 4 days. They start out a pale green, then as they mature, some pink shows up, later turning to burgundy, and finally a chocolate brown color very late in late fall. 3. ! All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Do not overcrowd the vases. They reminded me of a crafty technique I used all the time back in the 90’s when dried hydrangeas were the trend. The top sheet of parchment paper anchors the flowers during the drying process. How to Dry Hydrangeas. Remove them from the press. Write the date you submerged the flowers on the container, so you know when it's time to take them out. It may seem counterproductive, but drying hydrangeas in vases of water helps preserve their color. 2. Place the Cut Flowers in Water Next, put your fresh-cut flowers in a vase; fill it up about halfway with water and place it in a cool spot out of direct sunlight. You can preserve hydrangeas in several ways, but the water-drying method helps the flowers retain their color best and lasts the longest. Discard the old sheets and replace them with fresh ones. 99. Just make sure the container is deep enough that the flowers don't touch each other. I found spray painted hydrangeas. I would totally agree with that. Place hydrangea blooms in a vase or pitcher where they can rest against the side, but their cut stems are NOT resting against the bottom. Edited To Add: How To Dry Hydrangeas With Hairspray. Hydrangeas can also be transplanted easily, but this should only be done during dormancy in fall or winter. Getting married in the fall? I love hydrangeas! Alum is suggested however I was advised, by a local grower, (who exported to the US), wait till the inner of each flower opens and shows its stamen and the leaves of each feel papery then cut the stem on the brown older wood NOT the green wood. I'm so sorry for bad updates. June 09, 2015 Save Pin FB. Several weeks ago I shared what I have learned about growing limelight hydrangeas . But props to you for keeping them alive for eight years. Naturally, I dry my Hydrangeas October 26, 2013. If you snip the stems at peak bloom, they'll have too much moisture and won’t dry quickly enough to retain their beauty—but cut them too late and they’ll just turn brown. If you dry them successfully, they can last for years and make an everlasting floral display. I’ve hung my hydrangeas upside down with twine, and I’ve also dried them sitting upright in a dry vase. Even the most experienced gardener can be confused about when to prune hydrangeas. How to Dry Hydrangeas. How to Get More Blooms From Your Hydrangeas and learn if you should prune them back. Step 1: Dry the hydrangea. If you prefer, you can air-dry your blooms by hanging the individual stems upside down in a cool, dry location. How to Dry Hydrangeas. Display and Dry Hydrangeas. Learning how to dry hydrangea is simple and the flowers last for months. When to Cut Hydrangeas for Drying. Then I fill a big glass vase with water and place the stems of the hydrangea into the vase and then place the vase in the basket. Email. Remove the dry hydrangea blooms and gently tap them to remove any loose silica. Drying hydrangeas. Send Text Message Print. This process is simple help your hydrangea color become that gorgeous muted hue. Wait, we use water to dry flowers? FREE Shipping. Use the links below to jump to the supply list as well as the individual parts of how to paint a hydrangea. Each bloom needs good air circulation to dry and room to maintain an open form. 5.0 out of 5 stars 1. Use this technique to dry hydrangea blossoms for year-round enjoyment. Here are my picks for holding the best color and shape. Click here to read all about your options in planting Hydrangeas. When I found this wonderful video tutorial by Your House A Home TV on Youtube, I knew I wanted to make these hydrangeas immediately. Err on the side of pouring in too much gel to keep the flowers from being crushed against the bottom of the container. Be sure the container you are using is at least 2 feet wide and 2 feet deep. I wish I totally had a fancy way to tell you how to do this. Each technique resulted in beautifully dried blooms, so do as you like. Drying hydrangeas. The days are getting shorter, there is a slight chill in the evening air, and the brilliant colors of summer are fading. For tips on displaying and storing dried hydrangeas, read on! And the left front side of my house had just as many. Don't top off the water, since this may cause the flowers to mold before drying. Step 1, Prepare the flowers for drying. Cut individual flowers and plan to arrange them in the shape of a hydrangea blossom after they're dried. The Spruce uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. In the late summer you'll notice your hydrangea blooms start to change- the once velvety petals start feeling more papery and the colors begin to change. Hanging them upside-down is not necessary, but it is a good option if the flower's stems are weak and thin. Place the vase out of direct sunlight, since strong sun can cause the flowers to shrivel or fade. I want to have a small posy of sweet peas from my garden for my daughter's small, informal wedding. Gloria, whose Atlanta-area garden is a showcase for her favorite flowering shrub, sets … However, you may not get the most vibrant color this way, and they won’t last as long as they would using the water-dried method. The biggest challenge when it comes to drying hydrangeas is knowing the right time to cut the blossoms. More. One year I accidentally managed to dry them and didn’t know how I did it. Hi Susan! How to dry hydrangeas: 1. Of any color. Your local weather will affect when you will have flowers as well as the variety you choose, so just be sure they're in season. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. This article provides instructions on how to dry hydrangeas using three different methods: silica gel drying, water drying, and pressing. Then, add more silica gel on top so the flowers are completely surrounded and supported. Mother nature and plant care aside, timing when you cut the blooms is the most important factor that you can control. How to Dry Hydrangeas – Simple and Easy. There are three different methods we can use to dry hydrangeas. I usually cut it so the flower stem is as long as possible, because like I mention above, I snip the steam a bit each day in order to keep the fresh flowers alive as long as possible. You can capture those beautiful blooms here in the south, in late August and early September. This is one part of the front of my house. Arrange and Display. For another easy drying method, try hanging flowers upside down in a dark place with good air circulation for 2 - 4 weeks. There are several other methods to dry hydrangeas that can lead to brighter colors of the dried blooms. Another option is to let the flowers dry on the plant until they feel papery. They are located in partial shade near my house. (Check out my YouTube video on how I judge the moisture level.) There were way too many hydrangeas. Cut the flowers from the bush like you normally would. Choose a plastic container with a tight-fitting lid to use for drying your flowers. Place cuttings in vases or other clear containers and fill with water until several inches of the stem are submerged. I had more hydrangeas going down the side of the driveway. The ideal time to cut hydrangea blooms to dry is toward the end of their growing season (August through October), when the larger petals are starting to change color and develop a papery feel and the tiny flowers are just beginning to open. Fill the container with gel until it rises 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) above the blooms in addition to covering the stem. Cut them when the you can feel that the blooms still have a little bit of moisture in them, but you can feel that the petals are starting to dry out. Place them in a vase with no water to finish drying. If you can't really see the tiny flowers on your hydrangea variety, you can rely on the changing color alone—just keep in mind that it can be a difficult way to judge readiness in some varieties where the shade change is more nuanced, such as 'Annabelle', which only transitions from bright white to pale green. If you wish, add other foliage like leaves, ferns and other flowers. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Arrange in Vases of Water. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Hang them in a cool, dark place for several weeks to dry them out completely. Cut the stems down to and or inch 2 (2.35 to 4.7 cm) from the base of the flowers.Step 2, Prepare the drying container. The hydrangea flowers are unique because once dried, they can maintain their exotic appearance for years. You also might like to grab this FREE printable Favorite Perennial Herbs guide. Next, put your fresh-cut flowers in a vase; fill it up about halfway with water and place it in a cool spot out of direct sunlight. As summer flowers go to seed I lean in to dried florals and foliage for seasonal inspiration. Also, dried hydrangeas are great to use for various crafts. By using our site, you agree to our. Remove all leaves from the stem. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Depending on the year, it can be nearly impossible to find ready-to-cut flowers that have absolutely zero brown spots on them, so remember you can always remove any individual brown flowers either before or after drying. AnnaBelle Hydrangea will not dry well with any method other than pressing. Alum is suggested however I was advised, by a local grower, (who exported to the US), wait till the inner of each flower opens and shows its stamen and the leaves of each feel papery then cut the stem on the brown older wood NOT the green wood. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. By using The Spruce, you accept our, Drying Flowers: Tips, Tricks, and the Best Varieties, Tips for Harvesting, Drying and Storing Flowers, Strawberry Vanilla Hydrangea Plant Profile. Tweet. If you grow hydrangeas and find yourself wishing their beauty could stick around long after they bloom, you'll be happy to hear how easy it is to dry the flowers. Cindy. First, the bubble paint recipes- use paint and dish soap that are labeled Non Toxic ! One of the questions that I get asked all of the time is how to dry hydrangeas. I've been cutting and saving for several,years and customer's ask how to preserve them. These are the colors that make me think of fall decorating, at least when it comes to decorating with hydrangeas! I love hydrangeas. Hydrangeas are super popular in southern New Zealand. In general, most panicle hydrangeas dry beautifully, and a select few bigleaf types preserve well, too. 15.13 0 Comment Hydrangea (/haɪˈdreɪndʒiə/;common names hydrangea or hortensia) is a genus of 70–75 species of flowering plants native to southern and eastern Asia (China, Japan, Korea, the Himalayas, and Indonesia) and the Americas. If the container is narrow and very deep, you can suspend a flower at the bottom, cover it with silica gel, and add another bloom above it. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 83,204 times. But I’m not. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e8\/Dry-Hydrangeas-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Dry-Hydrangeas-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e8\/Dry-Hydrangeas-Step-1.jpg\/aid1330107-v4-728px-Dry-Hydrangeas-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"