Peegee hydrangeas (also known as panicle hydrangeas) are the absolute stars of the summer garden with those gorgeous, cone-shaped flower heads. But the best part? If you cut them while they’re in full bloom, you can dry them out to keep that garden magic alive in your home for months!
Dried Panicle Blossoms
Most panicle hydrangeas start out a creamy white and then transition into lovely shades of pink or deep rose as the season winds down. The cool thing is that they hold onto these colors even after they’ve dried, making them a go-to for DIY fall arrangements.
Different Ways to Dry Your Hydrangeas
Once your hydrangeas are in full bloom, there are a few different ways you can preserve them:
- In a vase with just a tiny bit of water
- Hanging them upside down in a dark, airy spot
- Using a glycerin solution
- Preserving them with silica gel
- Using cat litter (yes, really!)
The Vase Method
This is probably the easiest way. Take your fully bloomed stems and pop them in a vase with just an inch or two of water. As the flowers drink up the water and it evaporates, they’ll naturally start to dry out. You’ll know they’re done when the petals feel like thin parchment paper. Just a heads-up: they might lose a bit of their color brilliance with this method.
Hanging Them to Dry
If your flowers have already started to fade slightly on the bush, try air-drying them upside down. Find a spot that’s dark and has good airflow—like a basement or an attic. Once all the moisture is gone and they feel papery, strip off the lower leaves and they’re ready for your favorite vase or wreath.
Using Glycerin
If you want your flowers to stay soft and keep their color for up to two years, glycerin is your best friend. You can pick it up at most drugstores. Mix two parts water with one part glycerin, give your hydrangea stems a fresh diagonal cut, and set them in the mixture. The plant drinks up the glycerin, which preserves the cells from the inside out.
Silica Gel for Vibrant Color
If you’re really worried about color loss, silica gel is the way to go. Place the flower heads face-down in a container with a layer of silica powder at the bottom, then gently pour more powder over them until they’re completely covered. In about five days, your hydrangeas will be perfectly preserved. Plus, you can reuse the silica gel for your next project!
Drying with Cat Litter
Don’t have silica gel on hand? You can actually use kitty litter or even laundry detergent! They work on the same principle by drawing the moisture out of the petals. Just make sure you use a non-clumping variety of litter so you don’t end up with a mess on your beautiful blooms.
