Hydrangeas are elegant and that’s no understatement. They continue to be one of the most popular flowers throughout the centuries and show no signs of going away. However, like all good things in life, neither the flowers nor their beauty can last forever and will start to wilt after some time.
Fortunately, if you want to keep them around for longer you can always dry them out so they’ll last longer. Keep on reading to learn how to dry out hydrangeas for decorating your homes:
1. Choosing Right Hydrangeas
What to Choose
Before you dry the flowers, you have to choose them. Look for hydrangeas that show signs of drying. These are flowers that start to shift color from their peak vibrancy. The colors are softer, with hints of browning around the edges. They should feel papery and slightly dry, not smooth and pliable.
Most hydrangeas dry well, but some varieties hold color better than others. Bigleaf hydrangeas (macrophylla), lacecap hydrangeas, and some panicle hydrangeas are good for dried hydrangeas. Meanwhile, Nikko hydrangeas (serrata) can be trickier to dry and require extra care.
The key to choosing the right flowers is choosing ones at the ideal stage. Do not choose fresh ones because they contain too much moisture and will not dry well. They will shrivel. Skip hydrangeas that are already past their prime and wilting. These won't hold their shape well during drying.
Look out for signs of diseases such as powdery mildew, leaf spot, or insect infestation as they can spread throughout the flowers during the drying process.
2. Preparing Hydrangeas
Regarding the topic of how to dry hydrangea blooms, even after gathering your flowers, we can't just move towards the drying part yet. Instead first, we prepare them by doing some stem cuttings. You will need sharp pruning shears for this. Ensure it is clean and disinfected to prevent spoiling the flowers.
How To Cut Hydrangeas
Using a pruner or a scissor, cut each flower stem at a 45-degree angle just above the node between the leaves and the stem. This angle helps with water absorption during the drying process. Trim the stems according to your desired final vase height.
If you desire, you can leave extra length to help in the boutique-making process. If you are air-drying flowers, then make sure to remove all the leaves that are damp as it will slow the drying process.
Air drying is the traditional and the simplest method of drying hydrangeas. This method goes back centuries and the modern idea of air-drying flowers deliberately for preservation is believed to be dated to the sixteenth century in Europe.
Step-by-Step Guide for Air Drying
Once you have cut the stems of the hydrangea in the preparation stage, dip the stems about an inch deep into boiling water for a few seconds and then dunk them immediately into a pail of cold water.
To dry flowers, bunch 3-5 stems together and tie their ends loosely with a twine or rubber band.
Hang them upside down in a cool and airy but dark place out of sight from direct sunlight, such as in a closet, attic, or basement.
If possible, use a hook, clothesline, or drying rack to hang items.
This entire process should take about 2-3 weeks so make sure to check in on the flowers after the second week. If the flowers are still not papery and brittle, consider letting the flowers hang for one more week.
4. Silica Gel Drying
If you don’t want to wait for about 2-3 weeks for your hydrangeas to dry successfully then you can consider making use of silica gel as a desiccant for drying.
Step-by-Step Guide for Silica Gel Drying
Activate or recharge the silica gel if necessary according to instructions on the gel package by heating it in an oven at 250°F for a few hours.
Pour a container with enough silica gel to create a deep bed of at least an inch.
Gently place the prepared hydrangeas head-first into the silica gel, ensuring the gel package completely covers all the flower parts.
Seal the container tightly to create an airtight environment to prevent any risks of ruining the process.
It is also important that the container is placed in a cool and dry location outside of direct sunlight.
You can also dry your hydrangeas using water. It sounds odd but this method can help the flowers retain their color and shape better than air-drying.
Step-by-Step Guide for Water Drying
Repeat the same steps carried out at the start of the air-drying which is dipping the cut end of the stems into a pail of boiling water.
This time however instead of removing the hydrangeas from a container of cold water after a few seconds, instead pour some cold water into a vase and submerge the hydrangea stems into the vase while allowing them to dry for several weeks.
Allow proper air circulation of the flowers by preventing the vase from becoming overcrowded and placing them in a dark and well-ventilated location.
The water will first naturally be absorbed by the flowers before evaporating and leaving the flowers dry which will reduce the level of water available in the vase. You can add more water as needed.
You can tell the flowers are dry by checking if the flower petals feel papery and the stems snap easily.
How To Preserve Hydrangeas
Although now that you have dried the hydrangeas successfully, it’s also important to store and maintain them properly as they won’t last a long time otherwise. Here are some key things that you can memorize to preserve the hydrangeas more effectively:
Put the flowers in a place that is out of direct sunlight. The flowers can lose their bright colors because of the heat and UV rays from the sun, thus the flowers can become more fragile than they are at present.
Remember if you want the hydrangeas to be set in a well-lit room, turn them around occasionally, to counteract the effect of color changes being concentrated on just one side of the flowers.
Moisture
The presence of moisture can also damage the dried hydrangeas. Indeed, not only does moisture cause them to lose their structural integrity and hence their shape prematurely, but it also promotes mold and bacterial growth.
If the humidity in your area is always high, then consider placing a dehumidifier near displays to ensure an area with low-humidity air.
Alternatively, you can simply keep your dried flowers in an airtight container or under display cases for additional protection against moisture and decay.
It’s inevitable that dust will accumulate on everything and everywhere including in your house, clothes, furniture, and your dried flowers. Unfortunately unlike other objects, the dried flowers become damaged which diminishes their appearance if you allow the clouds of dust to accumulate for a while.
Gently dust your flowers regularly with a compressed air duster on a low setting to gently blow away dust particles and keep them looking fresh. Make sure that you avoid touching or rubbing the petals together as they can break off.
For more stubborn dust, you can make use of a soft painter’s brush to gently sweep the flower petals and remove the dust without damaging the flowers.
How To Dry Hydrangeas To Keep Their Color (Optional)
Applying a clear sealant spray designed for dried flowers can help with long-term storage and add a touch of shine. The sealant can protect them from dust and minor fading.
It is crucial for you to choose a non-yellowing sealant formula. If you aren’t sure about the formula, then first test it on a small inconspicuous batch to ensure that it doesn’t affect the color or the texture of the flowers.
If you do decide to use a sealant then make sure to apply it in a well-ventilated area and allow the flowers to dry completely before making use of them as a decoration.
Additional Tips
Here are some extra tips that aren’t strictly necessary but can be made use of if you want to further preserve the flowers to stay in good condition for a longer period provided that you have the means to do so.
Mist your flowers lightly with a can of hairspray as a setting agent as the hairspray can be pretty effective in keeping the petals in place and reducing any breaking off and shedding of petals. Since the chemicals always have the possibility of interacting in unpredictable ways, test it first in an inconspicuous area to ensure no matting or discoloration is produced
Over time your dried hydrangeas can become dull and start looking etiolated. This isn’t the end of their preserved life though as you can revive these revive hydrangeas and add a week or two to their life. Grab a hairdryer and fluff the petals gently in a cool setting. Make sure to not overheat the leaves as it can worsen the situation.
Longevity and Maintenance
Inspect your dried hydrangea displays regularly especially if they are situated in an environment where temperature and humidity levels can fluctuate wildly as it can encourage deterioration and mold.
By keeping an eye on their condition, you can address any upcoming issues promptly and maintain the beauty of the flowers for as long as possible.
Varieties of Hydrangeas To Dry
Of course, when it comes to drying hydrangeas some cultivar varieties are simply much better suited for the drying processes than other varieties. Here is a breakdown of the list of varieties which are good for drying and why or why not:
Good for Drying
Hydrangea Paniculata (Panicle Hydrangeas)
Many Panicle hydrangea cultivars are known to dry well. Some popular choices include Limelight, Pee Wee, Phantom, and Little Lime, which come in various colors. They have a cone-shaped flower cluster with smaller florets.
These florets dry well, hold their form better, and maintain a more delicate texture. Aside from that, panicles are also the best at retaining their colors during the drying process when compared to other hydrangea varieties.
Hydrangea Arborescens (Smooth Hydrangeas)
The next on this list of hydrangeas that are most suited to drying is the hydrangea arborescens also known as smooth hydrangeas. Arborescens hydrangea varieties with lighter colors, like white or soft pink, tend to hold their colors better during drying.
There might be slight color changes as they become tried but otherwise, they will retain their original vibrancy pretty well. This in conjunction with having larger and more robust flower heads amongst the varieties results in fantastic-looking dried bouquets.
Additionally, they have a sturdier structure than other hydrangeas which also helps them maintain their shape and has lower risks of crumbling and drooping once dry.
The macrophylla hydrangeas also seem to hold their colors well after drying which makes them ideal after the panicle and smooth hydrangeas. Although their mophead flowerheads are large and visually striking, they can often be difficult to work with.
Another reason why these flowers are good at drying is because they already have a papery texture towards the end of their bloom cycle which has less moisture than other hydrangeas and helps them maintain their shape and prevent crumbling.
Hydrangea Serrata (Nikko hydrangea)
The serrata hydrangeas can be trickier to dry when compared to other varieties as they will readily lose their vibrant colors after the drying process with their blooms turning either a duller shade or in the worst case, brown.
If you like the looks of serrata hydrangeas and want to dry them, consider dyeing the flowers during or after the drying process to keep them looking fresh. Dyeing is the industry’s secret to long-lasting vibrant flowers after all.
How Long Dried Hydrangeas Last
Dried hydrangeas usually last several months to a year, but this may vary depending on several factors.
Drying Method
The drying method used affects its shelf life. Air-dried flowers usually last one year or so if stored properly.
Silica gel dried flowers may last slightly longer than air-drying, potentially up to 2 years, due to the faster drying process that minimizes color fading.
With the application of proper drying and storage techniques, you can make the dried hydrangeas last anywhere from 1 to 2 years or possibly even longer. This is a huge markup from losing your blooms simply in a week’s time.
Obviously, you are going to notice some subtle changes in color or texture over time but that is only natural to occur. Provide the flowers with proper care to slow down this process.
Handling
Dried hydrangeas are delicate. Handle them gently to prevent breakage during arranging, dusting, or crafting projects.
Signs of Aging
As much as you want to hold on to the old hydrangeas, it’s also important to know when to let go of them once they’re done. Replace your dried hydrangeas once you notice significant fading and the petals crumble easily when touched.
Also, make sure to discard any hydrangeas with mold even if they haven’t reached the end of their life as it can spread and damage other dried flowers in your inventory.
Benefits Of Drying Hydrangeas
Drying hydrangeas offers numerous benefits beyond preserving their beauty. Here are some advantages:
Long-lasting Enjoyment
Fresh hydrangeas are limited to a single blooming period throughout the year or double if it’s a reblooming variety unless you deadhead the hydrangeas. Regardless, their limited availability means drying them allows you to keep displaying those wonderful hydrangeas long after their season is over.
Make an arrangement, bouquet, or wreath of dried hydrangeas and enjoy their beauty which lasts for months or even years long after the plant blooms wither.
Cost-effective Decor
Dried hydrangeas are a budget-friendly way to craft beautiful and unique DIY decorations in your home granted that you have and grow hydrangeas in your home.
If you don't have hydrangeas planted in your home then what are you waiting for? Hydrangeas are incredibly easy to grow and maintain provided that you know the best time to plant hydrangeas.
Aside from the hydrangeas themselves, all you need are some basic tools such as pruners, strings, floral tape, or a glue gun depending on what you are trying to make. If you're not sure how and when to prune hydrangeas, check out this guide to get the idea for a baseline.
Aside from the classics such as wreaths and bouquets, you could also break the mold and make garlands, centerpieces, potpourri, wall hangings, flower frames, and gift toppers with your hydrangeas.
Better yet, by drying your hydrangeas you get to choose your colors and varieties which makes it way better than store-bought varieties all for the cheap price of nil.
Low Maintenance
Unlike fresh flower decorations such as bouquets and the like, dried hydrangeas or dried flowers in general require little to no maintenance.
Simply store them properly in a cool, dark, dry location, and your dried hydrangeas will keep maintaining their beauty for a long time.
Additional Perks
Some people also enjoy the subtle, dried scent of hydrangeas and add a touch of nature to their home. Did you think dried flowers had no scent? While granted the scent can dissipate after the drying process, dried flowers can still remain fragrant for the better part of the year.
Furthermore, by drying the hydrangeas that are from special occasions such as weddings or anniversaries you can continue to preserve those memories sentimentally.
Most people choose to display their dried hydrangeas in vases as a simple yet elegant centerpiece. Granted that you can also follow in their footsteps by using a vase that complements the size and color of the blooms.
Or you could also do your own thing because there are so many other uses for dried hydrangeas other than being used as a simple vase decoration. Here are some other possibilities that we highly recommend.
Create a bouquet with your dried hydrangeas, dull moments are never in these flowers’ vocab. Mix and match the hydrangeas with other dried flowers such as baby's breath, eucalyptus, or lavender to create a more textured and layered colorful arrangement.
And if you have too many, you can also simply gift the bouquets to someone of your choosing. They will be sure to marvel at your unique and thoughtful as well as your floral artistry skills. Well, those skills don’t teach themselves so chop-chop.
Wreaths and Garlands
Aside from combining the dried hydrangeas with other dried flower elements, you can also combine them with non-flower elements such as pinecones, berries, or ribbons to create a beautiful wreath for your entryway or as a mantelpiece for a bit of a seasonal or rustic charm.
Crafting Delights
Dried hydrangeas also make good crafting elements. You can use it as a topper on a gift wrapping but that’s not all. Combine dried hydrangeas with other fragrant elemental mixes such as a potpourri pot mix and essential oils to create a delightful aromatic decoration.
If potpourri doesn’t strike your fancy, then consider using the dried flowers in satchel pouches, scrapbook pages, or greeting cards to add a touch of elegance.
Other Creative Uses
Finally, you can make your room distinct by fastening dried hydrangeas to a wooden frame or wire to your walls to make floral wall decorations. We don’t recommend using glue to attach hydrangeas for these purposes as they will eventually need to be switched out in a year’s time.
Roses can be expensive as well as boring since everyone’s doing it. Instead, spice things up and break the norm by arranging pink and red dried hydrangeas around candle pillars to create a welcoming yet romantic centerpiece for a Valentine’s date.
