Hydrangea flowers retain their freshness for a long time on the bush. They can please us at home even longer if they are dried and placed in the vase. Maintaining shape and color is the biggest challenge, which is sure to succeed with the right tips.

Dried hydrangeas also look good in the vase

Wait for the "greening" first

Young hydrangea flowers do not dry as desired, but wither and turn brown. Wait until the flowers turn green before drying. This means the following process:

  • Flowers change color during flowering
  • not always too green, Lilia and shades of red are also possible
  • Petals become drier and harder
  • feel leathery

Only well-ripened buds, cut after the peak of their blooming period, remain dimensionally stable and colorful after drying.

Cutting: time and procedure

When your hydrangea blooms are ready to be cut to dry depends on the variety and local climate.

  • usually from the end of July
  • only cut mature flowers
  • the color should still be intense
  • 20 cm long stems are ideal for bouquets
  • cut with sharp scissors
  • do not damage flowers

tips

Panicle hydrangeas and ball hydrangeas develop their blossoms on new wood in the following year, which is why their blossoms can be cut with very long stems without any problems.

Various drying methods at a glance

Hydrangea flowers can be dried in different ways. The first of the options listed below are easy to use, but the color will fade.

  • Drying hydrangeas in a vase
  • keep their shape when hanging
  • preserve with glycerin
  • Remove moisture with silica gel or washing powder

Drying hydrangeas in a vase

Hydrangea flowers and stems can dry in a vase without much effort.

  • Cut the hydrangea stems diagonally
  • Fill the vase with water just a few inches high
  • Add hydrangeas
  • Keep the vase dark and airy
  • the water gradually evaporates
  • the flowers begin to dry
  • after about a week they are completely dry

When the buds take on a wrinkled appearance and feel like tissue paper, the drying process is complete.

Hang hydrangea flowers to dry

Hydrangea flowers that are dried upside down cannot snap, which can happen in a vase with the large and heavy flowers.

  • Cut flowers that have already dried
  • remove green leaves
  • Leave the stem on or just dry the flowers
  • hang in a dark, airy and dry place
  • windowless attics or boiler rooms are ideal
  • stretch a cord
  • Fasten flowers or stems with clothespins

Depending on the room temperature, the drying time can vary. Test to make sure the buds are really dry before removing them. Dry petals crackle when touched.

Preserve flowers with glycerin

Glycerin preserves hydrangea flowers without color loss and also maintains the softness of their petals.

  • can be bought in pharmacies and drugstores
  • dissolve in twice the amount of water
  • Cut the stems diagonally and place in the solution

The hydrangea blossoms absorb the glycerin solution down to the last cell. Over time, the water evaporates, leaving pure glycerine. This completes the preservation.

Remove moisture with silica gel or washing powder

So-called hydroscopic material extracts moisture from its surroundings and is therefore ideal for drying flowers. In addition to silica gel and detergent powder, the following materials are also included:

  • fine cat litter
  • salt
  • dry salt

All of these materials allow the drying process to run quickly and largely without loss of color. The individual steps are as follows:

  1. Take a large and screwable jar. The flower should find enough space in it without the petals snapping off.
  2. Cover the floor with the chosen drying material. Detergent powder is available in almost every household and is also cheap.
  3. Place the hydrangea flower on top, upside down.
  4. Fill the jar with the desiccant so that the entire flower is covered.
  5. Leave the jar tightly closed for about five days.
  6. After that, remove the desiccant and get out the dry bud.

tips

Silica gel, often also spelled silica gel, is more expensive than washing powder, but can be used over and over again. If you often dry flowers, you can stock up on them in a craft store.

Shelf life of dried hydrangeas

In principle, dried hydrangea flowers can be kept forever. Most of the time, however, they are placed openly as decoration, where they will inevitably collect a lot of dust over time. Although this can be removed regularly by shaking it carefully, unsightly marks will remain on the flowers in the long run.

The color intensity also decreases after about two years. As a result, the hydrangea blossoms can only be used for a limited time in their function as beautiful decorative elements. Luckily, the garden supplies new flowers every year, which, after drying, can seamlessly replace the unsightly dry specimens.

tips

Keep dry hydrangea flowers out of the sun to keep their color fresh for longer.

A bit of hairspray prolongs the shine time

Hydrangea flowers can be sprayed with hairspray or hairspray after drying. This protects the flowers from brittleness and also gives them a nice shine. The unpleasant smell of the hairspray dissipates quickly.

Conclusion for fast readers

Suitable Flowers: Do not use young flowers; wait for the "greening".
Characteristics: Dried, leathery petals, with an intense colour
Timing: Depending on variety and weather; usually from July
Cutting: Only perfect flowers; without or with approx. 20 cm long stems

tips

Panicle and ball hydrangeas can be cut with very long stems

Vase: Fill with 2-3 cm of water; Cut stems at an angle; Duration: approx. 1 week
Hanging: Dark, dry and airy; attach upside down to string
Glycerin: mix 1:2 with water; put stalks in; gets color and velvetiness
Silica Gel or Detergent: Place flower and remedy in a sealed jar for five days.
Durability: Theoretically unlimited; However, flowers collect dust and lose color intensity
Hairspray: Mist dry flowers; brings shine and protects against brittleness

The garden journal freshness ABC

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The garden journal freshness ABC as a poster:

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