Drying Hydrangeas the Easy Way
Looking for ways to preserve hydrangeas? Drying hydrangeas couldn’t be easier to do and there’s a crazy simple way to do it. Unlock the secret for perfectly dried hydrangeas with these expert tips.
With a few methods of drying hydrangeas out there, there is one method that I use All. The. Time.
Why?
Because it’s the easiest.
And I’m sharing it with you today.
Wait until you see how simple it is to dry hydrangea flowers!
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Why You Should Preserve Hydrangea Flowers
Drying hydrangeas to preserve their blooms is a wonderful way to extend the beauty of these stunning flowers long after their peak season.
Hydrangeas are known for their large, lush blossoms and vibrant colors, making them a popular choice for both indoor and outdoor flower arrangements.
By drying hydrangeas, you can capture their natural charm and use them in various decorative projects.
These preserved blooms are perfect for crafting wreaths, creating elegant centerpieces, or simply adorning your living space with a touch of timeless beauty.
Drying hydrangeas not only allows you to enjoy their splendor year-round but also adds a touch of nostalgia and natural elegance to your home decor.
10 Easy Ways to Use Dried Hydrangeas
Dried hydrangeas are incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of creative and decorative ways.
Here are some inspiring ideas to make the most of your dried hydrangea flowers.
- Dried Hydrangea Arrangements: Create stunning and long-lasting floral arrangements by combining dried hydrangeas with other dried flowers, grasses, or seed pods. Place a dried hydrangea bouquet in vases, baskets, or rustic containers for an elegant and timeless look.
- Wreaths: Craft your own wreaths using dried hydrangeas as the focal point. Whether it’s a seasonal wreath for your front door or an indoor wreath for your wall, dried hydrangeas add a touch of natural beauty and texture.
- Table Centerpieces: Use dried hydrangea flowers to design captivating centerpieces for special occasions or everyday dining.
- Home Decor: Incorporate dried hydrangeas into your home decor by placing them in decorative bowls, on mantels, or as accents in bookshelves.
- Bouquets and Corsages: Create your own everlasting bouquets or corsages with dried hydrangeas.
- Dried Flower Art: Press dried hydrangeas between the pages of a heavy book to flatten them, and then use them for various art projects.
- Potpourri: Mix dried hydrangea petals with other dried flowers, herbs, and spices to create homemade potpourri.
- Dried Flower Jewelry: Embed dried hydrangea petals into resin to make unique and personalized jewelry pieces like pendants or earrings.
- Wedding Decor: Dried hydrangeas are an excellent choice for rustic and bohemian wedding decor.
- Gift Wrapping: Add a touch of nature and sophistication to your gift wrapping by tucking a few dried hydrangea blooms into bows or using them as decorative accents on the gift itself.
Whether you’re preserving cherished memories, elevating your home decor, or creating unique gifts, dried hydrangeas offer a touch of natural beauty and elegance that can be enjoyed throughout the year.
Their versatility and long-lasting appeal make them a favorite choice for cozy home decor and various creative projects.
So it’s totally worth learning how to preserve hydrangeas to level up your home’s aesthetic.
How to Dry a Hydrangea the Easy Way
Hydrangeas are the queens of the flower world, with their vibrant colors and lush petals. But what happens when your beautiful hydrangea blooms start to fade? Don’t fret!
Drying hydrangeas is a fantastic way to preserve their beauty and enjoy them for months to come.
And guess what?
It’s easier to do than you might think!
Learning how to dry a hydrangea is a great way to preserve your garden during the fall and winter months while adding beautiful decor to your home.
Here is the EASIEST way to do it!
Supplies Needed
- sharp pruners
- small vases or glasses (I love to use mason jars)
- water
Directions
- Allow the blooms to dry naturally on the plants (typically in August through October). They are ready when the petals look a little more vintage than bright and the flowers might feel a little papery.
- Find some pretty blooms that meet this criteria and cut about 12-18″ long if you can.
- Cut them at varying heights. It helps with the drying process when grouped together.
- Remove all the leaves from the stems.
- Grab a few glass jars or vases. I love to use mason jars for drying hydrangeas.
- Fill each jar with about 2-3″ of water.
- To dry hydrangeas well, don’t overcrowd the blooms in the jars so they get enough air circulation.
As the water evaporates, the hydrangea blooms will start naturally drying. And that’s it!
Drying hydrangea flowers could not be any easier. And once dry, they can last a really long time.
Dried hydrangeas look great in home decor, wreaths, bouquets, and other craft projects.
For best results, keep them out of direct light and humidity. Once dry, they will make great hydrangea centerpieces in my fall decor. I love using them in a vintage toolbox that I found thrifting in Vermont.
Drying Hydrangea Flowers FAQs
As with any creative endeavor, you might have a few questions along the way. In this section, I’m sharing the most commonly asked questions about drying hydrangeas, providing you with expert answers and helpful tips to ensure your dried blooms turn out fabulous.
When should hydrangeas be dried?
Hydrangeas should be dried when they are at their peak and have reached the ideal stage for harvesting. Timing is crucial to ensure that the dried hydrangeas retain their color, shape, and beauty.
Here are some tips on when to dry hydrangeas:
Late Summer to Early Autumn: The best time to start drying hydrangeas is during late summer or early autumn. At this time, hydrangea blooms are typically at their most vibrant and have developed their full color. The petals should feel slightly papery to the touch, indicating that they are mature enough for drying.
Avoid Rainy Days: When planning to dry hydrangeas, it’s essential to avoid doing so during rainy or humid weather. Excess moisture in the air can interfere with the drying process and may lead to mold or wilting of the blooms. Opt for a period when the weather is relatively dry and humidity levels are lower.
Before the First Frost: If you live in an area with colder climates and frost is common, it’s best to harvest and dry your hydrangeas before the first frost sets in. Frost can damage the blooms, making them unsuitable for drying.
Mid-Morning Harvest: When harvesting hydrangeas for drying, aim to do so in the mid-morning. At this time, the plant has had a chance to recover from the cooler night temperatures, and the blooms are well-hydrated. This helps ensure that the hydrangeas have enough moisture content before the drying process begins.
Stem Evaluation: When selecting blooms for drying, examine the stems closely. Choose stems that are healthy, strong, and free from any signs of diseases or pests. Avoid using blooms with browning or damaged petals, as they may not dry well.
Whether you plan to use them for home decor, crafts, or special occasions, properly dried hydrangeas will add a touch of natural beauty and elegance to any setting.
How to Dry a Hydrangea the Easy Way
Equipment
- 1 Pruners
Materials
- 1 Pruners
- Hydrangeas
- Mason Jars
Instructions
- Allow the blooms to dry naturally on the plants (typically in August through October). They are ready when the petals look a little more vintage than bright and the flowers might feel a little papery.
- Find some pretty blooms that meet this criteria and cut about 12-18″ long if you can
- Cut them at varying heights. It helps with the drying process when grouped together.
- Remove all the leaves from the stems.
- Fill each jar with about 2-3″ of water
- To dry hydrangeas well, don’t overcrowd the blooms in the jars so they get enough air circulation.
- Allow the water to evaporate and don't refill.
How do you dry hydrangeas without wilting them?
Drying hydrangeas without wilting them involves using a gentle and gradual drying method that allows the flowers to retain their shape and color. The air-drying method is a great way to achieve this.
This involves drying hydrangeas upside down. Here’s a step-by-step guide to drying hydrangeas without wilting:
Materials Needed
- Freshly cut hydrangea stems
- Pruners
- Rubber bands or string
- A dry and well-ventilated location
- Optional: a container or vase
Step-by-Step Guide
- Choose the Right Time: Harvest hydrangea blooms when they are at their peak, just before they reach full maturity. The blooms should have developed their color and feel slightly papery to the touch.
- Prepare the Stems: Using sharp pruning shears, cut the hydrangea stems at an angle. Cut the stems to your desired length, but keep in mind that longer stems may take longer to dry.
- Remove Excess Foliage: Strip off any excess leaves from the stems. By doing so, you allow more airflow around the flowers, which aids in the drying process.
- Group the Stems: Gather a small bunch of hydrangea stems (around 3 to 5 stems) and secure them together at the cut end using a rubber band or string. Make sure not to tie them too tightly to avoid crushing the stems.
- Find the Perfect Spot: Choose a dry, dark, and well-ventilated location for drying the hydrangeas. An ideal spot could be a closet, attic, or a dry basement.
- Hang Upside Down: Hang the bundled hydrangea stems upside down from a hook or a hanger. The inverted position helps the flowers retain their shape and prevents wilting. You can also use a drying rack or a clothesline to hang them.
- Wait Patiently: Now comes the waiting game! Let the hydrangeas air dry for about two to three weeks. During this time, the flowers will lose their moisture and gradually dry while maintaining their color and shape.
- Check for Dryness: After the drying period, gently touch the petals to ensure they feel papery and slightly brittle. If they are not completely dry, give them a little more time.
- Styling: Once the hydrangeas are completely dry, you can display them in a vase or use them in your preferred dried flower arrangements.
By air-drying your hydrangeas, you allow them to dry naturally, which minimizes the risk of wilting and helps preserve their beauty. Patience is key in this process, but the end result is well worth it!
More About Drying Hydrangeas
Have you dried hydrangeas before? What method did you use? Do you have any tips you’d like to share? I would love to know more in the comments below.
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More About Hydrangeas
- The Complete Guide to Hydrangea Care and Their Flowers
- The Basics of Hydrangea Care
- How to Dry a Hydrangea the Easy Way
- How to Divide Hydrangeas
- 7 Easy Steps to Propagating Hydrangeas
- Why Aren’t My Hydrangeas Blooming?
- Why Aren’t My Hydrangeas Blooming – Update?
- Are Hydrangeas Deer Resistant?
- How to Prune Hydrangeas
- How to Make a Hydrangea Wreath for Free
- Pruning Hydrangeas, Ornamental Shrubs, and Other Woody Plants
Garden Supplies I Use
I’m often asked about the garden supplies and tools that I use most. From pruners to deer repellents, here are some of my favorites in no particular order.
- I like to use a good-quality garden soil, compost, and perlite when planting.
- I have used this deer repellent with great success. But now, I’m all about this deer repellent that is systemic instead of topical. This means the plant takes it in as opposed to it just smelling bad.
- Hands down this is my favorite hand-weeding tool. You can use to get underneath roots, loosen soil, and it cuts down on the weeding time because you work much faster.
- But I also love this long, stand-up weeding tool to really get around roses from afar.
- I like to use THIS ORGANIC FERTILIZER for roses because the blooms are more prolific and it’s organic.
- You’ll need a sharp set of pruners when working with plants and flowers. I buy a few so I can stash them around.
- Where pest and disease problems are concerned, I generally use this insecticidal soap or neem oil to help control infestations depending on the issue.
- This is my favorite set-and-forget slow-release fertilizer for houseplants, annuals, and container gardens.
- Whenever I stake my peonies or other plants, I generally use these grow through garden supports because they work really well and keep the blooms upright.
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