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| Photo Credit: Lane Greer |
| The flowers of mophead hydrangeas can be cut in early fall and dried for later enjoyment. |
Mophead hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) are a favorite summer flower, blooming in shades of pink, blue and purple. They not only decorate the garden, they make great cutflowers. Summer’s end doesn’t have to mean the end of cut hydrangeas, though – only a different way to keep them. And the best part: Dried hydrangeas hold up for years.
To harvest and dry hydrangeas, wait until the flowers are mature before you cut them off the plant. (If harvested before then, they’ll shrivel.) Mature blooms are reddish-green and feel rubbery or leathery (rather than papery).
After cutting, bundle three stems together with rubber bands placed on the lowest part of the stems, then hang them upside down in a warm, dry room or garage. (For easy hanging, unbend a jumbo paper clip and attach it to the rubber band. Or use clothespins to attach single stems to a coat hanger.) You may have heard that it’s best to hang stems in brown paper bags, but this isn’t necessary if the stems are harvested at the right time. Another suggestion often made is to place stems in vases and allow them to dry this way. (It can be done, but the blooms may flop open and won’t be as attractive.)
Problems can occur when the flowers are dried in sunlight (loss of color) or in a damp place (flowers turn brown, and moldy spots may appear). Use fans or a dehumidifier if you start to notice the damp effects. And if the color of your dried flowers do start to fade or turn brown, you can use florist paint (available at craft stores) to brighten them up. Dried hydrangeas are a great way to decorate your home. Place them with other dried flowers or stems with fruit for a great fall look. They also make beautiful wreaths, both in their natural color and when painted with florist paint. (Small wreaths cost about $20 at local farmers’ markets, or you can easily make your own.)
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