Who doesn’t love the big, colorful blooms of hydrangea? When summer starts winding down, it’s the perfect time to dry and preserve flowers for enjoyment all winter, and hydrangeas make an excellent choice.
If you haven’t tried drying hydrangeas in water, give it a try. It’s easy and doesn’t cost a thing. All you need is a vase of water and pruning shears or scissors to cut the blooms. Follow the instructions below to learn how to dry hydrangea flowers at home.
How to Dry Hydrangeas in Water
Believe it or not, hydrangeas will dry naturally in a vase of water. Unlike other flowers that degrade in water, hydrangeas hold their shape and color well when allowed to dry in water.
Here are four easy steps to preserve cut hydrangeas in water. If you cut several bloom stalks, use more than one vase to avoid crowding. The flowers need plenty of air circulation to dry well.
- Timing is critical when drying hydrangeas in water. You must wait till the blooms have been open for several weeks and beginning to get papery. Many hydrangeas will slowly change colors, from white to dusky pink, for example. It’s when the color change begins that it is ready to undergo the drying process.
- Cut the blooms in mid to late morning after all the dew has dried from the plant. Pick the best-looking blooms because drying will exacerbate any imperfections. Allow 12 to 18 inches ( 30-45 cm) for the stem. Cut above a node at a 45-degree angle. Drop the stem in a bucket of water, if desired, while the other boughs are collected.
- Once inside, strip the leaves from the hydrangea blooms as they don’t dry well. Fill each vase with enough water to cover about two to three inches of the stems. Insert the stems and arrange them so there is ample space between blossoms. They should not touch. Stagger the heights, if needed, to allow sufficient air space. Place the vases where you can enjoy the blooms as they dry but keep them out of direct sunlight.
- Allow the water to evaporate and the hydrangeas to dry. It should take two or more weeks. If the water evaporates and the flowers do not feel stiff, add more water and continue to let them dry naturally. When the flowers feel papery and stiff, they are ready for display.
Enjoy your dried hydrangea flowers in simple bouquets, floral wreaths, or with greenery outside for winter décor. They also can be painted with floral spray paint for deeper colors.