Learn the secret for drying hydrangeas that will last for a long time. They will look great in wreaths, and vignettes all over your home.
Are you growing hydrangeas? If so, you will definitely love drying hydrangeas to save in a vase, or use in a wreath. The process is really very easy.
Timing is the issue in this simple craft. Along with time comes patience, and I can relate with having a problem when it comes to patience.
I think most people would agree that hydrangeas are almost as beautiful dried as they are fresh.
They keep quite a long time once dried, as an everlasting bouquet, in wreaths and many other decorative projects.
The Key to Drying Hydrangeas:
You need to wait to cut them late in the season, when they are starting to dry on the shrub.
These flowers are all getting ready to be cut for drying. They start to get a washed out antique look. Some even feel dry to the touch.
All you need to do is take off all the leaves, and place them in a bucket or vase with a little bit of water (one or two inches). After about a week or two, the water will evaporate and the flowers will dry in place. Pretty simple, huh?
This process works well with mophead hydrangeas and other varieties such as H. arborescens and H. paniculata. I have dried hydrangeas all over the place in my home. I’ve used them in centerpieces at the holidays, in wreaths, and some in vases. After a while they can get a little fragile and dusty, but did you know that you can dunk them in water to make them more pliable for use in a project. See my post on creating a square hydrangea wreath where I used older dried hydrangeas.
While they seem fragile they actually last a long time. Drying hydrangeas is a great idea if you are growing them outside already. What not give it a try?
More Fun with Drying Hydrangeas:
lauren says
I have always wanted to dry hydrangeas! I’ve tried roses and I don’t like the look, kind of old-feeling 🙂 while the hydrangeas keep their fresh look for so long. thanks for sharing! maybe I’ll give it a shot…
Patti Estep says
Hi Lauren,
Yes. Some of the newer dark hybrids are so beautiful. Just wait until they are starting to dry out a bit before picking. If you have an abundance of blooms you can try some earlier, but your results may be hit or miss.
Kirby says
We had a bumper crop this year, so I have a ton for The Gray Door Market in September.
Patti Estep says
Hi Kirby,
How wonderful. I bet they will be a huge sale for you at the market. I wish I lived closer because it looks fabulous!
Carole West says
That’s something I miss hydrangeas… this variety is my favorite and that wreath is beautiful. I remember my grandma had a pink one and she let them dry on the plant and then clipped to bring in the house. Just a beautiful plant even when it isn’t blooming.. Back in my florist days we sprayed them gold at Christmas and tucked them into the trees with ribbon and berries. So many things you can do with them…
Patti Estep says
Hi Carole,
I also remember using dried hydrangeas at Christmas and I used a few a couple of years back. Spraying them gold is a great idea. After all, everything that was old is now new again, right?
Margie says
Fantastic idea. Even though we live in NZ which is hot at Christmas, I may give this a go for church. What sort of berries did you use?
Patti Estep says
Hi Margie,
Carole was talking about pepper berries like the ones she used here:
http://www.gardenupgreen.com/2014/11/the-amaryllis-box.html
She also sent this link for a place to purchase them:
http://www.drieddecor.com/dried-pepperberries-p-428.html
Hope that helps!
Deborah Tyger says
Do you spray your hydrangeas to “fix” them?
Patti Estep says
Hi Deborah,
To be honest I usually don’t, but from time to time I’ve used both hairspray and spray poly to help protest a wreath.
Hope that answer helps you.
Karen F. Pierson says
Thank you, Patti.
I am new to the group and looking forward to everything you post.
I have two beautiful Hydrangea bushes in my back yard. I have enjoyed drying flowers for decades. I especially enjoy Roses and Hydrangeas.
My method of drying most flowers is to hang them up side down. Yes, it looks strange-walk into my condo and you’ll even see them hanging in the kitchen from the knobs of the cabinets. Pretty; but, strange. Yes, I’m known to be a bit eclectic. The Roses I like to dry by the bunch. I tie twine around the stems of the bunch(sometimes I take the leaves off and sometimes I leave them on) and just hang them upside down. By doing that, the stems also dry beautifully and straight. I also dry Baby’s Breath in with the bunch. At times I dry single Roses from special occasions .
Hydrangea stems are hardy,so even right side up the stems stay straight. I do use hair spray to stabilize the petals after the flowers are dry. Sometimes I use spray color on the flowers -but most of the time I love them just the way they dry . Thank you so much. I am looking forward to learning new projects. Karen
Patti Estep says
Hi Karen,
You sound like an old pro. Hanging is a great way to dry flowers too. It gives them a great air circulation for even drying. I sometimes use hairspray too but not always and have even tried a little spray poly on a wreath or too.
Karen F.Pierson says
Hi Patti,
Yes, old!
I found your page the other day while just surfing the web. I can hardly wait to “dig” into it. Thank you for the great ideas I see on your site.
I know I will be spending a lot of time learning from you and your followers.
Never too old to learn (age 75) Thank you, Karen
Patti Estep says
Hi Karen,
So glad to have you. I’m sure you have a lot of wisdom. Please feel free to share with us all.
Karen says
Great ideas !!!!! Excited about this site !!!!
Patti Estep says
I’m so glad and hope you stop back often.