Discover the enchanting world of hydrangeas – the perfect flower for your summer decor!

I’ll show you 21 inspiring ways to decorate your home with hydrangeas, for the summer. And that’s not all – this blog post will also teach you how to cut and dry hydrangeas, so you can enjoy these stunning blooms all summer long.

Hydrangeas are easy to grow and I find each bloom is a work of art. There are many types of hydrangeas that you can grow at home and the beauty is that they come back year after year. Keep in mind it is important to follow the guidelines for your particular planting zone when choosing what variety to plant.

I live in Southern California and my zone is 10a. So there are certain kinds of hydrangeas that grow well in my area.

Beautiful hydrangeas

Get ready to add some gorgeous flowers to your garden and home.

There are so many beautiful hydrangeas that you can plant in your yard so you can have Hydrangea blooms all summer long. You can use them fresh, or dry and use them for months to come.

Types of hydrangeas

There are many types of beautiful hydrangeas that produce wonderful cut flowers. You can find varieties that like direct sunlight and others that prefer shade or indirect sunlight.

Some of my favorite varieties are:

• Limelight hydrangeas- With unique chartreuse blooms in mid-summer that change to pink in fall.
• Annabelle hydrangeas- These large mop head blooms start out white and if you do not cut them, they change to a greenish pink color.
• Blue (Macrophylla) hydrangeas-also known as the Bigleaf hydrangea and is one of the most popular hydrangeas due to the big blue blooms.

Did you know that by simply changing the acidity of your soil you can change the color of blooms from blue to pink and visa versa on certain types of hydrangeas.

The blooms of hydrangea will last a long time if you prepare them properly.

Their large flower heads make them perfect for your flower arrangements.

Why should you choose hydrangeas

Hydrangeas are a crowd-pleasing favorite thanks to their stunning blooms, but you may be wondering how long they last. The good news is that most types will keep their petals intact for a span of 4-6 weeks, with a handful of varieties blooming even longer. However, it’s worth noting that there are a few types that have a shorter bloom time in the summer months. To ensure you have non-stop color in your garden, opt for a variety with lasting blooms.

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How to cut stems of hydrangeas to decorate and help them to last longer

Did you know that cutting a hydrangea bloom prematurely can actually prevent it from fully blooming? Unlike other flowers that may continue to open after being trimmed, hydrangeas need to reach a certain maturity before being cut. So the next time you’re tending to your garden, be sure to wait until your hydrangeas are mature before snipping them for a beautiful bouquet.

Tips to keeping your hydrangeas fresh longer!

• Always cut your flowers first thing in the morning when it is still cool outside and the flowers are not stressed.
•  Cut the stem right above the node of two of it’s leaves, straight across. You want your stem to be about 12-18 inches long. 
• Take a bucket of warm water outside with you when you cut your blooms. Put the stems in the bucket as soon as you cut them.
• Once you are finished, strip the leaves off of the stem (you can leave the top two if you like). Using a knife, not scissors cut the stem at an angle (this exposes the veins and helps to open them to absorb water).
• There are products that you can also use to help open the veins of the flowers more. One is call Quick Dip. This product is a liquid that you dip the stems into before arranging your flowers. I love this product and use it all the time in my flower arranging. The other option is to dip the stems in a powder called alum. This is a spice which you can find at the grocery store.
• Use a clean vase and add a sprinkle of sugar to the vase of water.
• Change the water daily.
• If the heads become wilted, you can soak the flower head in cold water to re-hydrate the bloom and cut the end of the stem again before placing back in the water. This will sometimes revive the blossom.
• Don’t let your bouquets fall victim to neglect – ensure their longevity with a little extra care.

Using faux hydrangeas

I bet you did not think I was going to talk about fake flowers, did you? Well, with the way they make them today, you honestly can not tell the difference. So if growing, drying and decorating with real hydrangeas is not for you, try a few of the amazing faux or preserved hydrangeas that are available.

How to dry hydrangeas

Transforming a beautiful hydrangea bloom into a year-round decoration has never been easier.

With a bit of drying expertise, these stunning flowers can take on a whole new life into the autumn season and beyond. Imagine adorning your home with a gorgeous bouquet or crafting a festive wreath that lasts all winter long. Wondering how to get started? I am here to guide you through the process with all the tips and tricks you need to know.

Drying hydrangeas can be a challenging task. However with patience and precision you will find yourself with baskets of beautiful blooms.

Timing is everything when it comes to snipping the blossoms, if you cut too early, they will wilt before they dry, and if you cut too late, they’ll turn an unsightly shade of brown.

The trick, then, is to find that perfect moment when the flowers are at their peak but haven’t yet lost too much moisture.

There are several ways to dry hydrangeas, but, I find the water-drying method is best for helping the flowers hold their shape and color.

Drying hydrangeas: the water drying method

1. Cut the blossoms in late August-September when they are fully mature. Leave a long stem approx 10-20″ long and remove all of the leaves. Be sure to cut the end on an angle.
2. Place the flowers in a vase and cover 3-4 Inches of the stem.
3. Keep the vase in the house, out of the sun and do not add any additional water.
4. Only put a few blooms in a vase, so there is plenty of air circulation.
5. Allow them to stay in the vase for two to three weeks and let the water fully evaporate.
6. Now, your flowers should feel dry to the touch and you are ready to use them to decorate.
7. A little tip for you… Spray the dried blooms with hair spray. This helps to keep all of the petals in place. This way you can use your wreath next year too.

How to dry hydrangeas: the hanging method

1. Cut the blossoms in late August-September when they are fully mature. Leave a long stem approx 10-20″ long and remove all of the leaves. Be sure to cut the end on an angle.
2. Tie them together with a piece of twine.
3. Hang them upside down immediately.
4. Hang them in a cool, dark place to dry.
5. If it is too warm, they will wilt, so be sure your temperature is no more then 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
6. Once your flowers feel dry to the touch, you can use them to arrange and decorate.

Drying hydrangeas with silica sand

1. Cut the blossoms in late August-September when they are fully mature. Leave a long stem approx 10-20″ long and remove all of the leaves. Be sure to cut the end on an angle.
2. Completely cover the bloom with the silica sand.
3. Let them sit for two – three days.
4. Once your flowers feel dry to the touch, you can use them to arrange and decorate.

Drying hydrangeas with silica sand in the microwave

1. Cut the blossoms in late August-September when they are fully mature. Leave a long stem approx 10-20″ long and remove all of the leaves. Be sure to cut the end on an angle.
2. Cover the entire bloom with silica sand in a plastic container large enough to hold the flower bloom.
3. Microwave the container with the flower and silica get for 30 seconds at a time for 2-2.5 minutes.
4. Let the flower sit in the gel for 24 hours.
5. Using silica gel is a much faster way, but I find you tend to lose more color in the flowers using this method.

Twenty One ways to decorate with hydrangeas

Now on to 21 ways to decorate with hydrangeas. Decorating is where all the fun comes in, so get out of your pretty basket of blooms and let’s get started.

Decorating with fresh hydrangeas

1. Cut some fresh hydrangea blooms and place them in simple white pitchers on your dining room table. The Hydrangea blooms are so beautiful on their own, there is no need to add any other flowers.

2. Arrange them in a basket and put them on your coffee table. I put fresh hydrangeas in a vase first, then insert the vase into the basket. Here is where I will let them sit for weeks until they are thoroughly dried. Just remember not to put too much water in the vase, a couple of inches will do.

3. Arrange a dough bowl with fresh hydrangeas and pumpkins for fall. You can use small containers to keep the flowers fresh or use flower vials.

4. Use a natural wood bread basket to hold your dried hydrangeas, along with a sweet bird’s nest and some foliage. This makes a darling long and narrow arrangement to place on your mantle.

5. I love to adorn my doors with all kinds of hydrangeas, fresh or dried. Here I have arranged fresh hydrangeas in a hanging basket on my door. I placed each bloom in an individual flower vial to keep them fresh.

Decorating with dried hydrangeas

6. Create a dried hydrangea wreath for your fall decor to hang on your front door. The colors are stunning and will make a true statement on your door.

7. Using dried hydrangeas, I arranged several blooms within a white ironstone soup tureen along with some faux Dusty Miller. The grey color of this foliage is a perfect match for the hydrangeas.

8. Use a few fresh hydrangeas in flower vials to decorate a cake. It makes such a pretty presentation.

9. Having company over for dinner? simply rest several hydrangea stems over an extra sink for a wow factor when you guests enter the kitchen.

10. Use dried hydrangea blooms to decorate a stack of books. Simply place the book on a bookshelf for an added touch of color.

More decorating with hydrangeas

11. You can also use your hydrangeas to decorate your outdoor spaces. These fresh Anabelle hydrangeas add the perfect pop of color to my front porch.

12. Drying the blue hydrangeas is one of my favorite as they tend to keep a lot of their color when they are dried. I made an arrangement using fall colors in a small suitcase. The gold and brown toned leaves of fall look so great with the blue Mop-head hydrangeas. I then added a pop of blue using this vibrant silk ribbon to create a bow.

13. Mix your fresh hydrangeas with roses, peonies and other stems for stunning flower arrangements you can display in your home.

14. Create a floral arrangement on top of a faux or real pumpkin. Start by carving a hole in the pumpkin, placing a glass of water into the hole and arrange your flowers. This makes a perfect centerpiece for a wedding or shower in the fall season.

Unusual ways to decorate with hydrangeas

15. Place hydrangea stems into flower vials and hang them from a light fixture for a special event.

16. Hang a bunch of hydrangeas that are wrapped with twine from a ladder that is suspended from the roof in your She-shed.

17. Spray paint your blooms for extra color like Susan did from On Woodland Lane

18. Place two large pots of hydrangea plants by your front door to create a focal point at your entrance.

19. Use your dried hydrangeas in your Christmas tree for an added touch.

20. Use a wreath frame and create a sitting wreath for your table. This is an easy way to add some hydrangea flowers to your table without them blocking the view.

21. Make a topiary using dried hydrangeas.

Well, that about wraps it up for me today! I hope you learned something new today and are ready to try decorating with hydrangeas this summer.

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