While everyone is displaying all the pretty mums, pansies and lilacs for fall, I’m still admiring my Forever Hydrangea plant. While I lived up north, I was never the green-thumb gardener, but I remember falling in love with the Hydrangea flowers.  I would pass by houses with the beautiful blue, purple, green and mauve color bushes and say to myself “one day I’ll have those”.   I have to admit – I use to wait till night fall to sneak and clip a few – like a bandit in the night wearing a handkerchief and baseball cap  ..(lol- I know- shame on me).  When I moved south, those were the first things I planted.  Needless to say the first couple of years I was not very successful at growing them.  So I kinda gave up.  But throughout the years, one bush managed to stay strong.  I couldn’t believe it and I’m just tickled pink happy.  With all the rain, this one bush, which is planted right outside my bedroom window, is still blooming.  Every morning after I rise, I take a peak just to catch a  quick glance at my beautiful blossom buddies.

Last week, I decided to take advantage and clip a few to dry out, so I can enjoy them until next summer.  To dry hydrangeas where they’ll maintain color is really simple.

FIRST: Cut a few of your beautiful blooms to display in a favorite vase.  Only cut the ones that have fully blossomed and appear to be almost dry (sort of like soft paper).  Remember to cut at a slant and lightly shake off the bugs.  Remove the green leaf – I left a couple on near the very top.  My first batch came to work with me to brighten my desk area.  The cute tray was a DIY you view here

The second batch was placed on the bar cart for some added color (can you believe how colorful they are in November??!)

SECOND:  Add water, but only about an inch up.  You don’t want the stems too deep in the water.  As the water slowly evaporates, the drying process will begin.  Once the water has completely evaporated, and the flowers feel dry, leave them in the vase for another day or two (or until the stems are completely dry).  This will take about 2-3 weeks so be patient and enjoy the color.

THIRD:   Your dried beauties are ready to be display in a fall basket:

Or create a bouquet.  Here I added them with pecans in a vase

The petals tend to darken a bit as they dry, which adds to the fall richness.  The olive green and lilac combinations are perfect fall accent colors.

Or use them with a fall centerpiece, like here:  I just added them on the corner of my simple table display.

These have the green and mauve tone colors which again, are rich with fall colors.

I couldn’t be more pleased with the having them lingering around my house till next year.  It’ll only remind me of how summer is to come.

So if you have a hydrangea bush still blooming, go ahead, pick a few to bring inside to create your own display.  I hope this post was helpful in drying out your flowers.  Until next time – continue to enjoy the Fall-bulous season.  Smooches!