How to Dry Blue Hydrangea

Overview

Drying a blue hydrangea is an ideal way to extend and enjoy the beauty of the flower. Hydrangeas of all colors can be dried and made into beautiful decorations. Blue hydrangeas are unique from other colored hydrangeas in that they have 10 times more aluminum content, which is the reason for the blue color. While you can use several methods to dry the blue hydrangea, a process utilizing silica gel is one of the most effective.

Using Silica Gel to Dry Hydrangeas

Step 1

Choose your flowers, and cut the stem somewhat short, ensuring that the stem and the flower blossom will fit in your plastic container with the lid on. Also, remove the leaves from the stem; hydrangea leaves do not dry well, so only the bloom and the stem should be left.

Step 2

Purchase silica gel, which comes in a crystallized form, at your local craft store.

Step 3

Pour the silica into the bottom of the plastic container, filling to about 1/2 inch. Holding the flower by the stem, pour the crystals of the silica over the entire area of the bloom, to dry the bloom. Do this over the plastic container to be sure to collect the crystals that may fall off.

Step 4

Place the flower into the plastic container, and sprinkle more silica gel over the entire bloom. The silica gel crystals must be at least 1/2 inch thick on all the areas that you intend to preserve.

Step 5

After the bloom and stem are completely covered with the silica gel, place the lid on the container and set in a dark area for 4 days, to fully dry.

Step 6

After 4 days, pour out the silica gel and gently shake the bloom to remove the crystal silica. Remove all silica gel from the bloom and the stem, using a light brush if needed. Your blue hydrangea is now preserved and can be used immediately.