Hydrangeas are so pretty in the garden, but did you know you can keep them around long after they bloom? Drying them is super easy and they look gorgeous in wreaths, baskets, or just in a vase.
Here’s my go-to method:
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Wait for the right moment – Cut the blooms when they’ve started to fade and feel a little papery, but before they turn brown. Late September is usually perfect. For comparison, the flowers below are very white and still full of water, which means they’re not ready yet.
Now check out the second image: see how the petals have shifted to a softer, pinkish shade? That’s exactly when you want to snip them—they’ve started to dry naturally but still hold their shape and color.
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Trim and prep – Snip the stems about 10–15 inches, strip off the leaves, and pop them in a vase with a few inches of water.
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Let them do their thing – Keep the vase out of direct sun and just let the water slowly disappear. Once the petals feel like paper, they’re ready.
Optional tip – A light mist of hairspray helps them keep their shape if you’re using them in a wreath or basket.
