Drying Hydrangeas

It's that time of year, when hydrangeas are in full bloom & we can start thinking about drying them very soon....at least, they are close to ready down here in the South. Rememer my Endless Summer hydrangea that was a pretty shade of blue back in June? Well, this is the same one, after the color faded (can you believe the change in color?)...it's changed to a soft pink & the undersides are a pretty green. So, I have cut some of the blooms & put them in my diningroom. Part of them are soft pink & the other part a pretty shade of green. I hope they keep this color.
Here are a few shots of my beautiful Limelight hydrangeas, which are in full bloom right now.
I successfully dried some of them last year & they turned a really nice shade of green when dry, so I'm hoping do do the same this year.
And, here are the blooms I cut off my mom's big hydrangea bush...right now I have them in water, but will slowly let them dry out & hopefully they will stay close to the shade they are now. Aren't they yummy? I may just leave them in this silver pitcher, since they look so pretty.

Someone emailed me about how to dry hydrangeas. It's really easy & they are one of the easiest flowers to dry. I've mostly just cut them at the end of the season, when they feel a bit papery to the touch & hang them upside down to dry. That way you know they will continue drying & stay full & pretty. If you pick them too early, they will just wilt & curl up, so be sure to feel them & when the blooms start feeling papery, you can safely cut them. You can also put the stems in a couple inches of water & slowly let that evaporate & they will successfully dry too. Either way works, so just experiement for the best method for you.

Hydrangeas are such pretty blooms to save & enjoy later. Are you drying hydrangeas this year??