How to dry hydrangea for a winter bouquet - preserving juicy summer colors

Tell me how to dry a hydrangea for a winter bouquet and is it even possible? I have several species of this beauty, the most beloved is the panicle. I don’t know what the name is, but it’s perfect. The tops of the virgin white inflorescences seem to be dipped in crimson paint. All summer I never get tired of admiring fresh flowers, and in winter I do ikebana. I really like it when there are vases with bouquets in the house, even if they are made of dried flowers. Is hydrangea suitable for this?

Hydrangea is a unique plant known to all gardeners for its abundant and long flowering. Did you know that it retains the color and splendor of its buds even when dried? Because of this, inflorescences are often used to compose various compositions. Moreover, they look gorgeous on their own, while they can stand for several years. There is nothing complicated in how to dry a hydrangea for a winter bouquet. Spending just a few minutes, you will be able to “preserve” part of your flower bed and enjoy summer colors on cold evenings. Yes, yes, precisely with paints, because if you do everything right, the hydrangea will retain its color and practically will not change. You can achieve such a result if you know one little trick, namely, the timing of harvesting inflorescences.

When to cut flowers for further drying

Most varieties hydrangeas have the unique property of changing color when fully ripe, taking into account the peculiarities of the growing climate. Light buds turn pink in warmer regions or turn purple if cold. The flowers themselves, or rather, their texture, also change: soft petals feel like paper ones. It is important not to miss the moment and not allow the hydrangea to dry out right on the bush. Then it will no longer be possible to maintain its color and elasticity, because the flowers soften and turn brown.

Wait until the inflorescences are fully ripe, usually at the end of the flowering period (September). As soon as all the buds open on them, and a contrasting shade begins to appear, you can safely cut it off.

How to dry hydrangea for a winter bouquet

Many people think the easiest way is to let the brushes dry right on the bush and ready to cut them. However, in this case, the hydrangea, as already mentioned, will lose color and become red and loose. It will be much better to prepare the branches on time and dry them separately. This can be done in three ways:

1. Hang each flower upside down and let it dry completely in this state.
2. Place the inflorescences in a jar of water and place in a cool room. Do not add water any more: when it evaporates, the buds will dry out after a while.
3. Also use a container with water, but add glycerin to it in a 2: 1 ratio. The stems will absorb the solution, and it will be distributed throughout the inflorescence. And when the water evaporates, only glycerin will remain in the hydrangea.

The most beautiful dried flowers will be obtained if you use the last two methods. Air-dried hydrangea will be brittle and will not last long. And drying with water or glycerin allows you to keep the color, and the flowers remain almost fresh for a couple of years.

Dry hydrangea with glycerin - video