Drying Blue Hydrangea Flowers

October 31, 2016 | C.L. Fornari | Problem Solving, Shrubs

Everyone on Cape Cod knows that this wasn’t a good summer for blue hydrangeas. Last year’s below zero night in February, followed by a warm March and April deep freeze, zapped most of the flower buds on these shrubs so we didn’t get our normal display of summer blooms. Those varieties that also produce flowers in the fall on new stems are now graced with a few blue blossoms…better late than never!

Those who want to pick these hydrangeas for dried bouquets, wreaths or adding to their Christmas trees want to know when to pick for the best preservation of flowers. Here’s a visual guide to which flowers will dry well and which ones will wilt.

These are fresh blue hydrangea flowers. Sometimes it confuses people when they see that these flowers are white as they first open. The blue color comes later.

This is an older Penny Mac flower. You can see that it’s a more faded blue, with touches of gray and purple/pink. If you touch this flower you’ll also discover that the petals are a bit firmer than those that are new and fresh. In some ways, the older flowers also become a bit “papery.” These flowers will last when picked at this stage and dried.

Here's what you need to know about drying hydrangea flowers. If they are at the right stage (firmer petals that are a bit papery and less true-blue) they will dry standing up in a dry vase. You don't have to hang them upside down, nor use any other flower-preserving materials. You don't have to dry them in the dark...just keep them away from bright windows if you want them to last longer. Enjoy! — Here’s what you need to know about drying hydrangea flowers. If they are at the right stage (firmer petals that are a bit papery and less true-blue) they will dry standing up in a dry vase. You don’t have to hang them upside down, nor use any other flower-preserving materials. You don’t have to dry them in the dark…just keep them away from bright windows if you want them to last longer. Enjoy!

Posted in Problem Solving, Shrubs

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