Mad Hatter Salvage: Harvesting Hydrangeas (Gardening is considered a craft, right?)

TGIF!!!

HAPPY FRIDAY EVERYONE!!

So, yesterday I told you all about my unfinished crafts. But, today, I'm going to show you something that I actually finished!!

It's technically related to gardening, but I would consider gardening a type of "craft" - wouldn't you?

I have the most beautiful hydrangea plant that my very special friend, Sandy so generously gave to me about 5 years ago. I don't know what it is about these wonderful blooms. Maybe it's the full, large size of the blooms. Perhaps it's the fact that the blooms last an incredibly long time - basically all summer. Or maybe it's the fact that the blooms change color over the season. Whatever the reason, I am simply in love with mopheads!

Yes, these are a few of mine prior to harvesting. Beautiful, aren't they? I wish I could claim that I have some kind of gardening wizardry, but sadly my thumb is not that green. I just got lucky that this plant is super healthy, in a fairly shady spot that it seems to love, and is pretty forgiving if a day goes past without it getting watered.

Earlier in the summer, I did some research on harvesting these beautiful blooms. Some I wanted to keep fresh, and I also wanted to dry a few. I was amazed how easy it was!

Let me share with you what I learned...

If you are harvesting for a fresh arrangement:

Step 1

Harvest the hydrangea blooms in late summer; any time from August to October.

Sidenote: This was the hardest part for me - the waiting. I wanted to harvest these beauties back in June. But I am so glad I waited. Over the past two months some of the blooms have developed a beautiful greenish-blue hue that I just love!

While you are waiting to harvest, remember to keep the plants watered and fertilize monthly with a liquid fertilizer for flowers.

Step 2

Choose flowers that have opened completely. By August, all the blooms on my hydrangea had opened completely. Cut the stems on the diagonal with sharp pruning shears.

Step 3

Remove the leaves from the bloom stems and place the stems immediately into cool water. Allow them to rest in the water for 1 to 2 hours.

Step 4

Ready a vase with water for arranging the fresh flowers. Cut the bloom stem again about an inch above the original cut while holding the stems under water. Arrange the flowers in the vase and keep them watered.

Easy enough, right?

Well, I also wanted to harvest blooms some to dry. No other flower dries as beautifully as a hydrangea. <This blogger's opinion, of course. :)

Harvesting blooms for drying is also very easy.

Step 1

Allow the hydrangea flowers to mature on the plant before picking. (Again with the waiting!!) Pick them just as the flowers begin to lose color but are still lush and colorful.

Step 2

Cut the stem with sharp pruning shears. Remove the leaves and place blooms in a dry vase.

Step 3

Leave the blooms to dry. Blooms with thin, weak stems can be hung upside down to dry. They will dry out and retain their color for a long time, but will eventually turn that lovely vintagey-brown.

Optional Steps for Drying Hydrangea Blooms

You can spray the hydrangea blooms with a mixture of glycerin and water to help keep them supple. (I was fresh out of glycerin, so I was unable to try this.)

Spraying the blooms with hairspray will help them retain their color. (I have PLENTY of hairspray, so this step I did try.)