If you're lucky enough to have established hydrangeas growing in your yard, then you already know how spectacular the large hydrangea flowerheads look on the shrub. The flowers may be white, blue or pink, depending largely on the acidity of the soil.
Whatever the color, hydrangeas look lovely when dried and can be used in a variety of large scale dried flower arrangements. The white blossoms are particularly popular for wedding flowers.
Here we explain how to dry your own hydrangea flowers, although you can also buy ready-made dried hydrangeas in many craft stores and even on ebay. We also have instructions on how to make a beautiful hydrangea wreath. If you'd care to share a picture of your own hydrangea creation, please email me: editor -at- allfreecrafts.com.
How to Dry Hydrangeas
Air Drying Hydrangeas
Timing is the key to successful drying of hydrangeas. It is best to leave the flowerheads on the shrub until late summer or early fall, when the petals begin to dry out on their own. After cutting, you can finish the drying process by arranging the stems in a tall vase (without water) or hanging them upside down to air dry.
Drying Hydrangeas with Silica Gel
Silica gel, despite its name, comes in crystal form. It is a high-quality drying agent that is used to dry many varieties of flowers. It is valued because it does an excellent job of preserving the original colors and shape of the blossoms. The drying process when using silica gel is also relatively fast.
1. Select a plastic container just slightly larger than the flower you are drying.
2. Pour a half inch of silica gel crystals into the bottom of the container.
3. Cut the stem fairly short, to fit into the container, and remove leaves. You can lengthen the stems later.
4. Hold the flower suspended in the center of the container, just above the layer of silica gel. Gently pour more silica gel around the bloom until is submerged in about an inch of crystals. You should be able to release the flower at this point. Continue sifting crystals onto and around the flower, taking particular care to make sure crystals surround the center petals and pouring extra crystals around the edges so that they fall naturally under the petals.
5. Occasionally tap the container to help settle the contents. You aim is to preserve the natural shape of the flower by surrounding it entirely by the drying medium.
6. Continue adding silica gel until the hydrangea is covered by at least a half inch of crystals.
7. Put a lid on the container and store in a safe place for four days.
8. Gently pour out the silica gel, removing the flower and gently shaking it to dislodge the crystals. If needed, you can use a soft makeup brush to remove any crystals that continue to stick to the petals.
9. Use the flowers immediately, or store in a clean, dry protected container until use.
8. To lengthen the stems, use either another piece of dried stem or florists wire, attaching to the short flower stem with green florist's tape.
Caution:
Although silica gel (readily available at craft stores) is quite expensive, you can use it repeatedly. You should follow the directions on the canister carefully, work in a well ventiliated area, and wear a face mask if you use silica gel frequently - it is not a substance that you want to breathe into your lungs!
Sounds interesting... hoping to have a long lasting bouquet of my gorgeous
blue and white hydrangeas. Suppose the white ones will turn color somewhat.
Guess I picked them too soon and many wrinkled up and died. Best to wait
until later as this article said.
Lyn – Cincinnati
Aug 08, 2008 - 10:04
For several years I dried bridal bouquets for fun and profit. Most people wanted as 'fresh' a look as possible so I used silica gel most of the time. There is a knack to doing it well and the timing, the length of time buried in the gel, can be critical. The size of the bloom and the delicacy of the petals determines the drying time required. The humidity in your drying area affects the process, too. Roses, for example, can over-dry and fall apart when removed from the gel. Sunflowers take a long time because of the fibrous center but they dry very nicely. Orchids are very fussy and any fingerprint can look like a bruise when dried. Hydrangeas dry very nicely but crush easily in the gel so utmost care is needed when covering them. The color suffers also when left in the gel too long. Use separate containers for the different types of flowers and don't crowd them. It can be a little hard to tell when it's 'just right' but it's better to check on the flowers after a few days than to guess about the appropriate drying time. Remember that silica dried flowers will 'reconstitute' a little when exposed to normal household air and can mold in very humid conditions or fall apart completely if placed near a furnace vent. It helps to spray them with an clear acrylic finish. It's an enjoyable hobby and people always seem pleased with a gift of dried flowers.
Reply to Lyn
Jane – Editor at AllFreeCrafts
Aug 26, 2008 - 23:33
Lyn,
Thank you for sharing these great flower drying tips, and for giving us the benefit of your experience. I enjoyed reading your comment very much!
