Hydrangeas are my favorite flower. When we moved in to our new home on Johns Island back in 2022, I planted 25 hydrangea plants all throughout the yard. I had no idea what I was doing when I first started out but by the end of the first year I had learned a lot. I knew which ones to prune when, which ones liked shade vs. sun, and when to fertilize. I quickly realized most people in those hydrangea Facebook groups have no idea what they’re talking about, except the amazing Skye Hamilton, Hydrangea Queen. I learned so much from her, including how to grow and dry hydrangeas.

Hydrangeas I’ve Planted

• Limelight hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’)

• Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia)

• Endless Summer® hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Endless Summer®’)

• Dear Dolores® hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Dear Dolores®’) – Southern Living Plant Collection

• Big Daddy® hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Big Daddy®’) – Southern Living Plant Collection

  

  Fall limelights in our garden.

Why Dried Hydrangeas Feel Like Fall

There’s something so special about that in-between moment when summer begins to slip into fall. The air is still hot and heavy, the kids are groaning about school starting, and routines are settling back in. At the same time there is a quiet shift, a stillness that hints at change. Somehow, dried hydrangeas capture all of that for me. They hold the joy of summer days in their faded petals and carry the warmth of the season forward as the air turns cool. I know you are probably thinking, that’s lovely, but just tell me how you dried them!

 

When to Cut Limelight Hydrangeas for Drying

I have seen it done several ways and I tried them all, mostly with the same result. I think it’s a matter of preference. We have several types of hydrangeas, but I only tried this with limelights. To me they cut the easiest on long stems, and you don’t have to worry about cutting off next year’s growth if you cut them nice and long. You’ll need garden shears and gloves if you prefer. I use them if I remember or a wasp reminds me.

Wait for the Right Season

I’m in zone 8b/9a on Johns Island South Carolina. My hydrangeas are not ready to cut for the first time until early to mid august depending on weather and watering.

How to Tell They’re Ready

You will want to wait until they feel papery. This means they have started to dry out on their own and are at the end of their life cycle. If they have a few brown spots or faded leaves, that’s fine too.

What You’ll Need

• small bucket

• Garden shears

• Gloves (optional)

• Bucket of water

• Vase or container

• Optional: bleach, floral spray

 

Cutting the Flowers

I filled a small bucket with water and placed the blooms in the water as soon as I cut them. I cut the stems at an angle but wasn’t too specific about it. Before bringing the flowers inside I turned the heads upside down and dunked them in water to get rid of any bugs, and removed all the leaves.

Bringing Them Inside

I cut the stems to length based on the container I was placing them in and filled them with water – you can add a dash of bleach or not this is optional. Some people swear by this method but I personally have not found it to make much difference. By a dash, I mean around a tablespoon for a vase filled with water. You only do this one time.

Once the water is gone, the hydrangea is thoroughly dry and can be used for as long as you can keep them nice. I have hydrangeas I dried three years ago that still look perfect. For limelight hydrangeas I dried in very late fall that were a deep pink when I dried them, I also sprayed them with a floral spray to help them maintain their color.

They remain delicate, but you can use them year after year if you care for them. In our household, they never go out of style or season. For vessels, I typically use a mix of glass vases and vintage / antique vases I find thrifting and antiquing various places.

 

1. Step-by-Step Drying Method

   1. Cut the Blooms

   At an angle, on long stems, and avoid next year’s growth.

   2. Clean the Flowers

   Dunk upside down to remove bugs and strip off leaves.

   3. Place in Water

   Fill a vase with water and add a dash of bleach if you’d like (optional).

   4. Let Them Dry

   Do nothing once the water is gone — they’ll dry beautifully on their own.

   5. Preserve the Color (Optional)

   Use floral spray to help pink or deeper blooms keep their color.

 

Mostly remember – it’s not rocket science. Don’t be afraid to try it. I always see people asking so many questions on social media – always afraid of a misstep. The reality is that we learn by doing, and we probably will mess up. This post is to encourage you to use what you have.

Final Thoughts

Many of us have beautiful hydrangea plants with blooms that will fade away regardless every summer. How lovely would it be to dry them and try your hand at making a wreath for a friend or neighbor? Dried flowers make such thoughtful gifts for celebrations and holidays, and don’t even get me started on center pieces for tables. I’ve added hydrangeas to wreaths, winter greenery, our Thanksgiving table – even Christmas trees. I was a kid in the 80s where it was acceptable to decorate and adorn any surface with anything your heart desired so in my mind nothing is off limits. Happy hydrangea drying, friends!