Hydrangeas are very popular garden or container plants that delight us with their bright colors. A pleasure that you would like to keep for a long time. And that is actually possible with few resources. Only a little patience and a bit of planning are needed to make your panicle hydrangeas last. Unfortunately, you lose some color in the process, depending on the method you choose, the color loss is stronger or weaker. Nevertheless, they are still an eye-catcher in the living room or in combination with fresh flowers.

preservation process

There are various options available for conserving hydrangeas. However, with some processes, a loss of color is to be expected. For this reason, cut off the panicle hydrangea on a rainy day, usually when the flower has developed its full blaze of colour. The drying methods presented here are:

  • in the vase
  • with hygroscopic material
  • in the oven
  • in the air

You have to try which method is best for your hydrangeas. Because the different varieties react differently to the drying process. The timing of the cut also plays a role. Depending on the variety, some hydrangeas can be preserved in full bloom and some varieties only at a later flowering time.

Tip: If a method works, you should stick with it.

drying in the vase

Preserving hydrangea flowers in the vase is easy but requires a little patience. You also have to reckon with a loss of color. You can counteract this by placing the hydrangea blossoms in a vase with water and glycerin after cutting. Because the glycerin prevents the colors of the flower from being lost. It can keep its color for up to three years. Mix water and glycerin in a 2:1 ratio.

Tip: Glycerin can be bought at the pharmacy.

The water-glycerine mixture will be absorbed by the flower stalks over the next few days. Once it has been completely absorbed or evaporated, it is no longer refilled. No water may be added during the process either.

Tip: If the glycerine is not used, the color of the hydrangea blossoms will be lost. Then they still look pretty, but then they have a brown color.

Since this method preserves the hydrangea's pedicel, the dried specimens can be placed between fresh flowers if you have previously protected the pedicel from the water in the vase with fresh flowers with wax or varnish. The blossom also remains soft due to the glycerin, which simplifies the further processing of the hydrangea, for example for flower arrangements.

Drying with hygroscopic material

Hygroscopic material means substances that attract water. Various substances that you can also find in your household can be used for preservation with this method. These include, for example:

  • cat litter
  • washing powder
  • salt
  • silica gel
  • dry salt

Tip: You can get silica gel at a craft store.

An advantage of this method is that the flower color should be preserved. In addition, not only whole flowers, but also individual petals can be dried with this method. Proceed according to the following instructions:

  • select vessel
  • Blossom plus washing powder must fit in
  • at the bottom of the vessel lay out a layer of appropriate material
  • put the flower on it
  • Cover the blossom completely with the material from the bottom layer
  • Close container airtight
  • After a few days, two weeks at the most, the flower has dried. Carefully remove them from the jar so that no petals break off.

Tip: If you use cat litter, make sure it is very fine and does not clump.

Drying in the oven

Preserving hydrangea blossoms in the oven is recommended when things have to be done quickly. To do this, set the oven to a temperature of 80 degrees Celsius. Don't close the door completely, block the door with a wooden spoon. After half an hour to an hour, the hydrangea flowers should be dry.

You can also use this method in a slower process. To do this, the oven is set to 35 degrees Celsius. In this way, the hydrangea blossoms are literally dried overnight.

Tip: However, this quick process can lead to a loss of flower color.

Air drying

Another type of preservation is air drying. While this practice is opposed by some, others advocate it. To do this, proceed as follows:

Cut off the hydrangea flowers with the stem

  • Clip the flower upside down to a hanger or clothesline
  • Hang hangers freely in a dark, airy room

Tip: Air drying is suitable for panicle hydrangeas that have already slightly faded.

Don't forget to remove all leaves before hanging the flower.

With this method, it is difficult to find the right room. Because there should really be no daylight affecting the drying process. It is best to think about whether a room in the apartment meets the requirements before you use this method, because the light should not be left on all the time or laundry should be dried in it. The boiler room, for example, is ideal.

Tip: Whether or not the panicle hydrangea loses its color with this method is judged differently by experts.

Fix hydrangeas

Since the hydrangea flowers can easily be rubbed with your fingers after the drying process, they must be handled and fixed with care. The preservation of the flowers is only complete when they are fixed. To do this, spray the dried flower with hairspray from a can or with a fixator from the flower shop. After fixing, you can place the dried hydrangeas in the apartment or in a flower arrangement. Make sure that the dried flower does not get direct sun. This will further fade the color.

Tip: Only dried hydrangea flowers should be sprayed with hairspray. If the flower has not yet dried up, the moisture it contains cannot escape and the flower does not dry up, but rots from the inside.

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Garden plants