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August 20, 2012

Late Summer Bonus-Dried Hydrangeas

 First I'd like to show you my Annabelle Hydrangea shrub that was blooming like this July 25th- This picture shows a good variance of the colors and how it changes.  The most white coloring is how they start out- then they fade to a soft green- then it becomes a bit deeper and deeper eventually going to brown.
 *see additional information on drying hydrangeas
August 8th I cut them and hung them to dry...I stored them in the garage until the 17th....
 They shifted a little more in color but I'm happy they still have the green color.

I found this pot on my garden bench that I purchased from Wisteria last year.  
I stuffed a block of styrofoam into it and began
gently placing the stems.






I chose the tallest for the center.  I positioned the heads the way I felt they should be displayed and poked the stem into the styrofoam- often on angles.






I put everyone of them in there!





 I also tucked moss in to fill in between the stems for a little more finished look.


I'd like to dry some of my Limelights which are a white and stick some in there but that will be weeks away- so for now this is it!


I like the detail of the pot.  I tried to get another one after I received it but they were all sold out... go figure!


First I set them on the kitchen table which looked good but I knew they'd be getting moved off the table too often so I decided to put them out on the dining table.

I decided to try out this new mirrored tray to set them on.
Reflection is always nice...

 Then I decided I had to embellish it a bit more...


A pair of glass candlesticks and my goose statues added some flair...
 
I wanted something new on the table and I unexpectedly got it!  I really never had this in mind....but as I'm learning those are the 
things I end up liking best!

*Additional information on drying hydrangeas.
They have to be allowed to go "past prime" on the shrub- so you can't cut the fresh perfect blooms.  Otherwise they just shrivel up and don't look very good.  














This picture shows some real fresh ones-  and some older ones that can be cut.
You can still put them in a vase of water.......When they aren't drinking anymore just dump out any extra water...you can leave them in the vase or dry them like I did. These are Endless Summer Hydrangeas and they are really easy to dry.



Once they start to shift and look a little more papery you can cut them to dry. 
Here is a closeup of how they look when they shift...they do lose color a bit
but that can't be helped. 
This is a bunch from last year that I clustered together and dried.  These were still in a vase of water but soon after I removed the water.





I'm joining BNOTP for 
Metamorphisis Monday

and
A Stroll Thru Life for
Tabletop Tuesday
"

21 comments:

  1. Fantastic! I have these but have never tried drying them, thanks. Your vignette did turn our beautifully. Visiting from Met Monday. ~Lori

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  2. Beautiful! I'm going to try to do this too. I love how they still look so great in that pretty vase in your dining table. Thanks for the idea and tutorial! Enjoy your week.
    FABBY

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  3. Liz, your flowers and vase are beautiful. I was wondering how to dry the flowers. I have never dried flowers, so this is very helpful.

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  4. You hydrangeas made a beautiful bouquet! I love my Annabelles and dried a bunch of them too. I haven't made a bouquet of them yet.

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  5. Your hydrangeas look great! So jealous of your lovely large hydrangea plants.

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  6. Your flowers are beautiful. I thought I would cut my own hydrangeas today or tomorrow to dry them, too. Don't you just love them? xo Diana

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  7. I'm glad you included the last bit of information about allowing them to go past their prime on the shrub because I am sure I would have messed that up big time! You did an outstanding job with the drying, the arranging and the resulting vignette!!! I love how you put the pot on a mirror to double the image back. It's beautiful!!!

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  8. I am hoping to have some hydrangeas to do that with next year!

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  9. Yes, it really is a beautiful late summer bonus!

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  10. Great minds think alike Liz, I just did an arrangement of Annebelles a couple of days ago. Your choice of container is perfect, I love the fact that its not so tall you can't see over it, lovely. Thanks for haring.

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  11. They are very pretty and i love the planter!!!

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  12. Gorgeous! I love hydrangeas any way I could get them. We live in a rental house now and I miss the hydrangeas I used to have. I never did dry any and have even thought about buying some...they're so gorgeous! Yours look wonderful and I love the planter too!

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  13. My goal in life is to have hydrangeas like this. Just stunning. I just cut 8 or 9 blooms from my endless summers that were pretty much dried. They look nice in my pitcher. Just wish I had more! Your bushes are incredible.

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  14. Your hydrangeas are gorgeous. They made a lovely centerpiece too!....Christine

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  15. Great tutorial on how to dry and arrange hydrangeas. I miss not having them in this yard. I've planted them but they don't do well in full sun here. Love the container you used. Beautiful……

    ~Emily
    the French Hutch

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  16. Beautiful! You are so fortunate to have hydrangeas! The information about how to dry them was really helpful. I don't blame you for looking for another container - that one is really pretty and works perfectly to hold an arrangement of full fluffy flowers like hydrangeas.

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  17. Oh I am so jealous. WE can't grow them here and I just love them. So beautiful. Hugs, Marty

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  18. Love them! I have some in my garden, but have never dried them. I think I need too! I'd love for you to share this at my party, Twirl & Take a Bow at www.houseontheway.com. It's every Tuesday through Sunday. Hope you can stop by!
    Leslie

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  19. Hydrangeas are my favorite flower!! I wish mine were blooming right now! Come link up to Centerpiece Wed. on my blog.
    Karin

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  20. I love hydrangeas too, one of my favorites. Thanks for sharing the drying tip. I'm going to try it.

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Thank you for your comments! I don’t always get a chance to reply but I do read them!




ABOUT ME



Welcome to Home and Gardening With Liz. I have combined my previous blogs “Infuse With Liz” and “Sit With Me In My Garden” into this new blog. I love interior decorating and gardening. I enjoy redefining interior spaces by moving things around and reusing decorative items already found in the home. I also enjoy creating tablescapes and an occasional crafting project. I'm so pleased you've stopped by. I invite you to follow me and I do hope you will keep coming back! Liz
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