Hydrangeas cut and dried

These classic blooms make a simple, elegant display.

Nothing says summer like the bursting of blue and pink flowers from a French hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla). Luckily, their colors don't have to stop at the door. By bringing the flowers inside and drying them, you can enjoy the beauty of hydrangeas year-round.

Fresh-Cut Blooms

Penny McHenry, founder of the American Hydrangea Society, says, "These blooms are ideally cut in the spring as fresh flowers and then in the summer as dried ones. Hydrangeas must be mature flowers when harvested to dry properly."

In the spring, gather the flowers when they are in their budding stage and have a deep green color. A few weeks later, the flowers can be cut at full bloom, when they are blue or pink. In another month, the flowers begin to fade to pastel shades.

How To Cut

Hydrangeas will last the longest if cut in the morning and placed immediately in a bucket of water. Next, strip off all the leaves, and slice the stems vertically or slightly crush the stem tips with a hammer or a knife. This allows water to be absorbed more efficiently by the stems and ensures blooms last longer. Penny then suggests totally immersing the stems and flower heads in tepid water to fill the blooms with moisture and give them a longer vase life. After an hour, place the stems in a vase of fresh water, and add 2 tablespoons of Penny's Floral Preservative (see box at right), a commercial product such as Floralife, or a lemon-lime soft drink. Change the water every few days, and recut the stems to remove decaying material.

Hydrangeas for Drying

The joys of these flowers can be extended to last throughout the year. But Penny cautions, "Not all hydrangea selections dry the same. Try 'Penny Mac,' 'Preziosa,' or 'Altona' for flowers that hold their color. Regardless of the selection, hydrangeas are best harvested when the flowers are either mature or just beginning to feel papery. It's also important to gather the blooms when they are totally dry. Don't cut immediately after a rain or an overhead watering."

Hanging hydrangea flowers may be the easiest method for preserving them. Cut the stems as long as possible, and strip off all the leaves. Tie six stems together, binding them with twine or a rubber band. In a hot, dry place out of direct sun, hang the bundles upside down. Closets, attics, or garages work great. Provide adequate circulation. Without plenty of air movement, the flowers will rot instead of dry, so don't crowd them. After a week or two, blooms should be dry. Place bundles in an airtight container, and store until ready to use.

Another way to dry hydrangeas is to place stems in a container about a quarter full of water. Add two drops of bleach to prevent bacteria buildup. Put the container in a warm place out of direct sun. After about two weeks, the water will have evaporated, leaving the flowers dry. EDWIN MARTY

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Jun 2003
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