Thursday
Jun142012
Tips On Thursday...Beautiful Hydrangeas
Thursday, June 14, 2012 at 02:00AM
It's interesting depending on where you live in the U.S. right now, there are all kinds of posts on hydrangeas...
Some upstate are just ready to bloom...
In the South they are in full bloom...
and if you live in Arkansas...they are starting to fade...
Everyone will eventually get there...what do you do?...how can you preserve their beauty for future enjoyment?...who doesn't love beautiful dried flowers?
Yvonne with Stone Gable has the answers...this woman knows her stuff, so we are taking her advice this year...
Yvonne says...
Most hydrangeas will begin to self dry on the bush. When blooms take on a vintage look they are ready to be picked for drying.
*Cut hydrangeas from bush and strip all leaves.
*Put flowers in a vase filled about one third full of water. And that's it!
Do not refill the water. Just let it evaporate. If water gets stagnate, replace it with new water to the current watermark.
Drying hydrangeas by using this method will keep the color more vibrant and the heads less fragile than air drying.
I've got to start cutting...I have a yard full...
It's your turn. Let's talk!
Images via Pinterest, Google and Stone Gable
Reader Comments (17)
Hi Mona!
There is 1 more thing to consider BEFORE you cut the stems, strip the leaves and place in the vase until the water evaporates (which is also how I do it).
Scroll back up to the second last photo. Look closely at the flowers and look at the center of each 4 petal cluster- do you see the center of it is brown and slightly dry looking?
The remnants of the center bloom are tiny and sometimes have dried to a brown dot. These ARE ready to cut. If the center is still an unopened tiny round dot, they are NOT ready to be cut for drying yet and will wilt if you try to dry it.
See this post on my old blog for photos and a more clear explanation: http://allthingspaintandplasters.blogspot.com/2010/08/garden-vignettes.html
One of my absolute faves!! Spectacular in every color!
Thanks Annie...I need to start cutting.
I've always wanted to do this! I hate that they don't last forever! all of mine are so pretty right now but I'm sure that's going to end soon! Have a great day!
Carolyn
My favorite flower! I had really good luck drying hydrangeas when I added 1 part glycerin to 2 parts water. The glycerin will turn the petals a rich, golden brown for a different look. :)
Yvonne at StoneGable is one of the blog world's true artists. Plus, she is an amazing woman. Hydrangeas, you guys & Yvonne, how could we go wrong !!!!
I am so excited to dry some this year they are so gorgeous bunched into a basket!!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Mona, thank you (and Yvonne) for this because I have never done it right!!! BTW, your projects below are looking so exciting!
Thanks for the drying tips! I love hydrangeas. They last so long in the vase, are so simple and elegant. I have a few stems that have been sitting in a vase for over a month. They have dried there and keep looking pretty cute so I haven't thrown them out. I hope to plant several Annabelle hydrangeas either this fall or next spring. fingers crossed. :)
Keri
Ours don't come into season for some time yet.
With your advice, Sally and I can enjoy them all year round!
Have a great weekend!
Cheers,
john
Great tips, Mona. I love hydrangeas.
There just isn't a replacement, because they work almost everywhere, and are perfect in every arrangement.
Thank you for your kind comment yesterday. It meant so much.
Happy Friday.
Teresa
xoxo
The most beautiful of all the gardens flowers, I am building my collection-at last count i have 52 and dry everything from Dooley's to limelight and have just found a new variety called black stem, beautiful black stems, long and straight stems with big mophead pink tops. can't way to dry these...thanks for the extra tip about the little brown dot. the correct information always makes for better results. thanks for sharing. Lyn
Given that our faux hydrangea are the best in the business, we haven't tried our hand at drying the fresh ones from our bushes. Looking forward to our week in Cape Cod where the hydrangea are heavenly! Happy weekend, Mona.
xxoo
Mona,
I always wondered how the experts achieved the perfectly dried and beautiful hydrangea. I'm going to try this. I love hydrangea. Thanks for the tip
Enjoy this Father's Day weekend.
Karen
Hi Mona anad Sister!
Lucky you to have all those Hydrangeas...........The pictures are beauftiful......I love the blue ones and those kind of lacey ones that are not ball shaped.....Enjly your crop!Maryannexo
One of my favorite flowers. Love every color...
You are so right, Yvonne knows exactly how to do it. I always cut some for next year. In fact I have some of my best ones that were done several years ago and they still look great.
Sam