Method 1
Cut the flowers with a stem about 12" long, and remove all the leaves.
Put them in a vase which is about half filled with water ensuring the stems are freshly cut to enable them to take up water.
Place the vase in a cool place, away from direct heat or sunlight.
Leave the flowers in the vase until the water has all been taken up (usually 2-3 weeks) and your blooms should be nicely dried out.
This method allows the drying out process to take place gently and slowly which helps retain the colour of the bloom.
Method 2
As with the previous method, cut the flowers with a stem about 12" long, and remove all the leaves.
Put them in a vase without water and place the vase in a cool place, away from direct heat or sunlight.
Leave the flowers in the vase until the blooms are dried (usually 1-2 weeks).
Alternatively, you can simply airdry them by hanging them up in a cool, dry place away from direct heat or sun.
Although drying without water is quicker, the flowers may become brittle and the colour is unlikely to be as well preserved.
Care for the dried blooms
An easy way to check if your Hydrangeas are dry is to snap a little piece off the stem. If it snaps easily, they are properly dried.
Once properly dried, try to keep the flowers out of direct sunlight as this will help prolong their life. You can expect properly dried blooms to last about 2 years.
If your blooms appear to be dropping petals, an easy fix is to give them a light spray with hairspray.
Enjoy your beautiful dried blooms!
