Drying Hydrangeas

In July, when the Hydrangeas are at their most blue, blue, many people pick the flowers and attempt to dry them. At this point the blossoms shrivel up into nothing, causing great disappointment. The flowers won't dry when they are fresh...you have to wait until later in the summer.

Once the flowers have begun to turn the mix of gray/purple or even green, and the petals are a bit more papery, they can be cut for drying. This usually happens in late August and early September. At that point, cut the flowers with a stem that's about 8" to 12" long, and strip off all of the leaves.

If you want to be sure that the flower dries in a perfect dome shape, hang the flowers upside down in a dark, dry room such as an attic. Don't let the flowers touch each other or anything else. If you're less particular about how they dry, just place the cut stems into a vase without water.

Most dried hydrangeas keep their color for three to six months when they are kept away from sunlight. If you want to use the dried flowers in holiday arrangements, cut them now and keep them in a dark place to preserve the colors until you're ready to decorate.