I’ll Dry Away: Preserve Your Hydrangeas

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Those beautiful hydrangea blooms will last much longer if you dry and preserve them. There are three popular methods for drying hydrangeas. Choose the one that fits your needs depending on how much time you want to spend on the project, and the results you are after.

Air Drying
This is probably the simplest method of drying hydrangeas. Simply grab a stem or two (if you are drying large flower heads, it’s better to do them separately) and hang them upside down in a cool, dry place.

Vase Drying
This method tends to produce longer lasting color than air drying because it allows the hydrangea to dry at a slower pace, therefore retaining its color and shape as it dries. Simply place the stems in a vase away from direct sunlight and fill the vase so that the stems are halfway covered. Once the water evaporates, do not refill. To find out more on this method, click here.

Glycerin
This process produces a more soft, supple dried flower and will preserve the shape of the bloom longer than other methods, but requires a little more preparation.

Materials:
Cut hydrangeas
Glycerin
Water
Vase
Colored dye (optional)

Directions:
Cut the stems at a right angle and crush the ends with a hammer. This will help with the absorption of the solution. In a vase prepare a solution of 2 parts water and 1 part glycerin. You can find glycerin at your local pharmacy. Place the stems in the vase so that the water and the glycerin are drawn through the stem of the plant. The water will evaporate through the petals leaving the glycerin, which will turn the petals a rich, golden brown in just a couple of weeks. This method produces a more natural look, so if you prefer a little color drop a bit of dye into the solution.

 

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