Hydrangeas are one of the most popular flowers for the garden and, depending on the variety, decorate it from July to September. If you want to enjoy the stunning blooms even longer, you can dry some hydrangeas and admire their beauty all year round. In the article we reveal which methods are possible and how to proceed correctly to preserve the flower color!
When and how to cut hydrangeas for drying
The hardest part about drying hydrangeas is cutting the flowers at the right time. While it's tempting to cut hydrangeas when they're in full bloom, they'll have too much moisture in them to dry quickly enough to retain their shape and beauty. But if you cut them too late, they will just turn brown. The best time to cut is when you notice a change in the color of the flowers and the petals begin to feel papery. Depending on the hydrangea variety, this can happen between July and October. You may find brown spots on the flowers at this time, but you can remove these before or after drying.
When choosing flowers, you should make sure that they are mature and their color is still intense. Beat the cutcarefully so as not to damage the delicate flowers.
Trim the hydrangeas in the morning after the dew has dried from the petals. Using sharp scissors or secateurs, cut the stems at an angle so that they are 12 to 18 inches long. Peel off the leaves and place the buds in a bucket of water. Be selective when cutting - drying highlights the flowers' imperfections. Select the best blooms to dry and leave the rest to decorate the garden.
How do you dry hydrangeas? The methods at a glance
There are a few tried and tested methods to preserve the beautiful hydrangea flowers:
- Dry hydrangeas in a vase with water
- Place in a solution of glycerin and water
- Preserve the flowers using the hairspray method
- Use silica gel for intensely colored flowers
- Hang upside down in an airy place
- Dry hydrangeas on the bush
Regardless of the method you choose, you will not get the same vibrant color as the plant growing in the garden. The color that can be achieved with dried hydrangeas is more of a muted mix of greens, grays, blues, pinks and purples that look beautiful together.
Dry the flowers in a vase with water
This is one of the best ways to grow hydrangeasto dry flowers. Uncomplicated and without special means, it always promises good results.
It may seem counterproductive, but drying hydrangeas in vases with water helps preserve their color. Place the stems in vases or other clear containers and fill them with water until the stem is submerged by a few inches. Don't fill the vases too full. Each flower needs good air circulation to dry and space to maintain a good shape. If you are drying multiple flower heads in a vase, try staggering the length of the stems so that each flower has enough space.
Place the vase somewhere in the home where you can enjoy the flowers while they dry. Just make sure they are not exposed to direct sunlight. Allow the water to evaporate naturally as the flowers dry. The entire process can take two or more weeks. If the water has evaporated before the flowers are dry, you can refill the vase.
The dried flowers are ready to use when the petals feel stiff and the stem bends slightly.
Dry hydrangeas with glycerin
If you want to preserve the beautiful flowers of hydrangeas without loss of color, then the method with glycerin is perfect. This preserves not only the color but also the softness of the petals. You can find glycerin in any pharmacy or drugstore.
To preserve the flowers using this method, you should first prepare a glycerin solution from glycerin and water in a 1:2 ratio (for example, 100 ml glycerin to 200 ml water). Then place the diagonally cut stem in the solution and wait until the flowers absorb it completely. After the water has evaporated, only the glycerin remains and the flowers are successfully preserved, without any loss of color.
Dry hydrangeas with hairspray
Another easy way to dry hydrangeas is to spray the petals with hairspray - a tool that many people have at home. It is better to use an aerosol and spray the hydrangea flowers generously with the spray. Tie the stems of the flowers together into a bouquet and place them in a dry place, such as a kitchen. B. in a cupboard until the flowers and stems are dry and crispy to the touch.
Tipp:If you want to keep the color of your hydrangeas as true as possible, you should try using a hairspray for dry hair. To dry the flower balls quickly, use extra strong hold hairspray.
Silica gel for colorfast flowers
If you want to try to preserve the vibrant colors of hydrangeas typically found in mid-summer, consider using silica gel to dry them. You can purchase silica gel, or silica gel—a type of natural mineral—in powder form at most craft or hobby stores, as well as garden centers. You will also need an airtight container large enough to hold the flower ball.
This method requires a gentle touch. Add a layer of silica gel to the bottom of the container and carefully place the flower on top. Then carefully add more powder around the flower and between each individual petal, encasing the entire ball. Be careful to maintain the shape of the flower while pouring the powder and avoid pressing the flower against the container. It may take about 4 days for the hydrangea with the silica gel to dry. Then you can take them out and empty the container. This method is the best choice to preserve the colors of the flowers in their full glory.
Tipp:You can achieve similar results using washing powder or cat litter instead of silica gel.
Hang hydrangeas and air dry
You can also air dry your flowers by hanging the individual stems upside down in a cool, dry place. Air-dried hydrangeas tend to be a little more fragile than their water-dried counterparts, but they are still beautiful.
Can you let hydrangeas dry on the bush?
If you want to have beautiful dried hydrangea flowers without any effort, you canfaded inflorescencesDo not cut it off in late summer and leave it on the bush over the winter. All you have to do now is wait. In spring the hydrangeas should be dried directly on the bushColorhowever, is not received. A pale beige would be expected. Nevertheless, the winter cold can successfully dry the hydrangeas so they can be used for decoration and crafts.
