Drying my hydrangeas the natural way. . . . .

My hydrangeas, though late blooming this year, are now ready for drying.

I was crying over them this summer when there was nary a flower.  

But then they surprised me with some late, good sized heads, and 

I've been waiting to cut them for the process which will give me some 

lovely muted color for inside the house during the winter months.

Yesterday there were still a few sleepy bees around. . . . but they didn't seem concerned when I starting cutting other blooms around them.

Drying naturally is so easy, no tricks required other than cutting at the right time. 

My hydrangeas are all blue - I think they are the best color for preserving as they 

change to many different shades, each one so beautiful.

Once the soft-to-touch, hydrated and flexible flowers begin to change both in color 

and texture on the plant, it's time to harvest. Here in the southeast this has been the 

perfect week prior to below freezing temperatures due tonight.

If you live in more northern climes you may have already cut your 

beautiful hydrangeas and have them dried and part of your decor by now.

What you will require:

Ready-to-harvest blooms

Garden Shears/Pruners

Fresh water

A tall heavy glass vase

Best time to cut flowers is late morning after any dew has evaporated.

Choose full well-shaped blooms.

Cut stems at an angle, 12-18 inches in length, and carefully remove all leaves.

Place in a clear container, heavy glass is best, filled halfway with fresh water.

All stems should be submerged several inches, and try not to have too many

heads crushed tightly together.  This bunch, harvested earlier in the week, seemed 

to gulp up the water almost immediately so I did replenish it.

Place your flowers in a cool dry area out of direct sun, but in a 

spot where you can enjoy them as they dry out.

The process should take a couple of weeks. Once the water 

has completely gone, your flowers should be ready to use for

winter, Christmas and decorative projects such as wreaths and table 

centerpieces - or just massed in a lovely container such as a basket.  

Some people spray them with hairspray when dry - I've never done that.  

The best way is to dry new ones each year so they don't have a chance to 

get dusty, faded, and start disintegrating all over your furniture.

Hope you have some lovely hydrangeas to dry and enjoy over the winter months.