The hydrangea with its romantic, large flower umbels is experiencing a renaissance in our gardens. But even when the gardening season is over, you can preserve the charm of the flowers and use the preserved umbels as attractive room decorations.
How can I preserve hydrangeas?
To preserve hydrangeas, you can dry them in a vase, preserve them with glycerin or hang them. Depending on the method, the color and structure of the flowers are preserved to varying degrees, and the dried hydrangeas are suitable as attractive room decorations.
Preparing the hydrangea flowers
Cut the flowers to dry at the time of peak color. The umbels are then sufficiently mature and retain their shape. Even though a lot of color is lost during the drying process, the strongly colored flowers do not fade completely. When completely dried, they look like valuable and slightly translucent porcelain. Leave a twenty centimeter long stem on the umbels so that they can be arranged into bouquets.
Drying hydrangeas in the vase
This is a very simple method that doesn't take much effort. However, it has the disadvantage that the flowers lose a little more color during the drying process.
- Cut hydrangea flowers and place in a vase filled with water.
- Let water evaporate and do not refill.
- Once the water is used up, the flowers are dried.
Preserving with glycerin
Glycerin is a trihydric alcohol that is found in almost all natural fats and oils. The material has water-binding properties. You can get pure glycerin (€9.00 on Amazon) in the pharmacy or drugstore.
- Mix 500 milliliters of water with 250 milliliters of glycerin.
- Pour liquid into a vase.
- Place hydrangeas in this mixture.
The hydrangea flowers absorb the mixture. As the water evaporates, the glycerin remains in the petals. This means that the dried hydrangeas retain their bright color and the plant material feels elastic and soft, almost like the flowers of a fresh hydrangea.
Hang flowers to dry
This method also works very well with fully ripe hydrangea flowers. The disadvantage is that the dried umbels become somewhat brittle, which, however, gives the flowers their own charm.
- Drill the stems with a needle.
- Pull a thread through the hole.
- Hang the flowers freely in a dark and dry place.
- If the leaves break with a cracking sound, the flowers are completely dry.
Tips & Tricks
Arrange the preserved hydrangeas in antique-looking wire bowls. This pretty room decoration in a trendy vintage style conjures up a romantic atmosphere in every room.
