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

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