Preserving Hydrangea Blooms via Water: An Inexpensive and Effortless Method
Drying Hydrangeas in Water: A Simple and Cost-Effective Method
Drying hydrangeas in water is an easy and cost-free method that allows you to preserve these beautiful blooms for winter décor or arrangements. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it.
First, it's essential to cut the flowers at the right time. Look for mature blooms that start to show red spots and feel papery but still hold some color. This is typically in late summer or early fall. Remove the leaves from the stems, and scrape the stems lightly.
Next, place the prepared stems in a vase or bucket with about 1–2 inches of water, optionally mixed with a small amount of bleach. Leave the arrangement in a cool, shaded area away from direct sunlight. It's important not to replace the water as it slowly evaporates.
The flowers need plenty of air circulation to dry well. To achieve this, place the vases where you can enjoy the blooms as they dry but keep them out of direct sunlight. Over the course of about two weeks, the blooms will dry naturally while retaining their shape, texture, and much of their original color. When the water is gone, the flowers should feel papery and are fully dried, lasting indefinitely for display or decoration.
If you'd like, a light mist of unscented hairspray can help hold petals after drying, but this is not required. This water drying method preserves the blooms better than air drying alone and is excellent for fall arrangements and wreaths.
When cutting several bloom stalks, use more than one vase to avoid crowding. 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.
Susan Albert, a graduate of Oklahoma State University with a degree in English, has written garden articles for magazines, authored a newspaper gardening column for many years, and contributed South-Central regional gardening columns for four years to Lowes.com. She served as a master gardener for 17 years. According to Susan, the optimal time to start drying hydrangeas in water is when the blooms have been open for several weeks and are beginning to get papery, with some color changes occurring, such as from white to dusky pink. Allow 12 to 18 inches (30-45 cm) for the stem when cutting, and cut above a node at a 45-degree angle. If collecting multiple blooms, you can store the stems in a bucket of water.
With these simple steps, you can enjoy the beauty of hydrangeas throughout the winter months. Happy drying!
Transform your home-and-garden lifestyle by experimenting with gardening techniques like drying hydrangeas in water. This method not only leaves you with preserved hydrangeas for winter decoration but also provides a fascinating learning experience.
