In my New England garden, the optimum period to pluck hydrangea blooms to dry indoors is when summer turns to fall and before it frosts. For the best vase drying results, patiently wait until they’ve already started to dry on the plants. From there, the rest of the process is simple.

I turn my dining room into a drying station where I’ll collect specimens at the end of the season when I don’t mind cutting the glorious buds from my flower garden. Over the years, I’ve had the best success with Vanilla Strawberry, a panicle variety. I’ve done well over recent years with my Endless Summer bigleaf mops BloomStruck and Original. See my post on growing hydrangeas.

Be Picky When Choosing Blooms

Usually about six weeks after the flowers open, the colors will become darker and muted and start to feel papery. You may even notice a bit of browning on some petals. This is when you should start cutting them for indoor drying.

Please note: While hydrangeas in their peak are tempting to dry, they are best for fresh-cut flower displays. For dry vase drying, fresh blooms will shrivel up. However, if you do want to enjoy some fresh cut ones, do a long diagonally cut to the stem so the flowers will soak up more water and last longer.

Take time to be picky about which blooms you chose; look for interesting hues and fully formed blooms. The drying process won’t hide imperfections; however, when you gather them into bouquets, you can arrange them to do so.  

How to Vase Dry Hydrangeas

Now that you know to wait for the flowers to start drying on the plant, the next part is how to finish the process in a vase so you can enjoy them all year.

• Make sure the flowers aren’t damp when you pick them. I like to pick them in full sun after the morning dew burns off.
• I like to batch my cuttings with blooms of similar height for creating bouquets. You can always trim once dried when creating arrangements.
• Remove the leaves.
• Add about an inch or two of water to large vases or containers and one-half to an inch for smaller ones. The water helps the flowers to not dry out too quickly and turn brown.
• If you have some flowers that are extra dry, you can dry them without the water. 
• Ensure there’s space between the flowers for air circulation. Make sure they’re not touching. You don’t want to cramp them too close together which will flatten or crush them.
• Allow them to air dry in a room with indirect sunlight for up to 10 to 14 days.
• If you’re drying multiple batches before arranging them, gently organize them in rows on a table, spacing them out without piling them.

Displaying Your Dried Hydrangeas

Once dry, collect similar hues together and place in vases, pitchers, bottles and jars and display around your house. You may want to secure the stems with ribbon, elastics or ties for better stability.

They also make thoughtful hostess gifts for fellow garden enthusiasts in a pretty container or wrapped in paper and tied with raffia.

LOVE GARDENING? See all my garden posts.

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