How to Dry Hydrangea Flowers

Overview

Many people who enjoy creating with flowers like to use dried hydrangeas in craft projects and dried floral arrangements. Dried hydrangeas are readily available in craft stores, but they can be expensive. Instead of purchasing ready-made dried hydrangeas, consider drying your own hydrangeas straight from your own flower garden. The process is easily accomplished with very few materials. In a short time, you will have a generous selection of dried hydrangeas to use to create many different items.

Step 1

Wait until the end of the growing season to clip the hydrangea blossoms for drying. Watch the blooms as they age on the hydrangea plant. When the blooms look aged and slightly dried on the bush, they are ready to clip. Cut them off at this time or consider waiting even a short time longer because often hydrangea blooms change color in the early autumn. These blooms might be ideal for your craft project.

Step 2

Cut the blooms with at least 5 inches of stem below the bloom. You can shorten the stems after drying if desired. Remove any leaves from the stems and discard the leaves.

Step 3

Place the stems of the hydrangea blooms into the tall vase. Water is unnecessary in the vase and water in the vase will only prolong the drying process.

Step 4

Set the vase in a warm, dry location with adequate air ventilation. Monitor the drying process over several weeks. When the petals feel papery when you touch them, the hydrangea blooms are dry. Remove them from the vase and use them as desired.