Panicle hydrangeas are instantly recognizable for their unique cone shape. When to Cut Hydrangeas for Drying He also gently dabs the actual petals with dye to further enhance the hue. The strongest colors develop in plants growing in full sun. Choose those that have already begun to fade and bring them indoors for use in dried arrangements and wreaths. Oakleaf hydrangea is a coarse-textured native shrub that works well as an understory planting under larger trees like live oaks. Hydrangea quercifolia, commonly called Oakleaf Hydrangeas because of their large and handsome oak-shaped leaves, are among the hardiest and best hydrangeas varieties to grow in the South.These more sun tolerant native hydrangea shrubs are fast growing and produce an abundance of large, cone-shaped flowers up to 14 inches long on some varieties. These large shrubs can reach 6 to 10 feet tall and have an even wider spread. Junebush is my favorite hydrangea; green flowers are special! He prefers to cut the pods and strawflower off the plant, arrange in their "permanent" container then let them dry in place. Step-by-Step: Drying Hydrangea Flowers. The showy blooms fade to shades of pink or red before drying to beige. PRESSING FLOWERS: This would be a fun summer craft project with your children to give as teacher gifts or for any occasion. Drying Hydrangea blossoms make excellent dried flowers. Flower buds are produced at the tips of stems on old wood of the previous year. Two main methods are used to dry hydrangea flowers: vase drying and silica drying. After a few days, the water evaporates, drying the flowers. Learn how to season this Southern kitchen staple in five easy steps. © Copyright 2020 Meredith Corporation. The easiest way is air-drying (drying them naturally), while the blooms are on the shrub or after they are picked. A good flower to dry for indoor arrangements is the hydrangea. These flower on new wood. Just let the water evaporate by itself over the next few weeks and the hydrangea blooms should be dried by the time the water is gone. Hydrangea Garden. A popular cultivar of this plant, called 'Snow Queen,' can be grown in USDA plant hardiness zones 5 through 9. Gloria then places the jars in her dining room, out of direct sunlight or bright light, for one to two weeks. Panicle Hydrangeas. Hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9, the deciduous shrub grows 6 to 8 feet tall and wide, and bears white panicles of flowers from late spring through early summer. Oakleaf hydrangeas are beautiful and popular shrub for many gardens. Known scientifically as Hydrangea quercifolia, oakleaf hydrangea is suited to USDA plant hardiness zones 5-9a. Hydrangeas are flowering shrubs that require moist, well-drained soil in order to thrive. Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) in particular has a strong autumn color display, with leaves turning red and purple. When hydrangea leaves are dry and curling, the most likely cause is drought or insufficient watering. Oakleaf hydrangea is the only member of the genus that provides any significant fall foliage coloration. Presto chango, dried hydrangea … Van Chaplin, The Secret to Drying Hydrangeas and Other Botanicals. How to Dry Hydrangea Flowers Remove all of the leaves from the stem (or at least the part of the stem that will be submerged) and put the flowers in a vase with an inch or two of water. He removes the leaves and places the stems in a container with water covering half or less of the stem. In many areas, they dry right on the plant in fall and stay looking good through most of the winter. It is prized for its long-lasting flowers and its beautiful fall foliage colors. Keep reading to learn more about deadheading hydrangea blooms. Hydrangeas' need for sufficient water is hinted at in the Greek origin of its name; … According to Farmer, "All you'll need for pressing is a heavy book and some wax paper. Lighter types such as white 'Limelight,' 'Annabelle,' and peegee begin a snowy white, then turn a beautiful lime green. ... Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) Oakleaf hydrangeas are native to the Southeastern part of the United States. All you do is remove the leaves along the stem and bundle 5 or 6 of them together and hang them in a cool, dry place. It grows in the moist shady and acidic soils of the Southeastern US. Purple hydrangeas will usually fade to a gorgeous blue on the bush, which is your signal to start snipping, while pink blossoms will change to chartreuse. A good first guess at what's up with the drying leaves is leaf scorch. THE SECRET: Use water! "Strawflower, status, Queen Anne's lace pods, and poppy pods dry wonderfully," he said. Silica Gel Drying Prepare the flowers for drying. Named for its oak leaf-shaped leaves, oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) offers long-lasting flowers, colorful fall leaves and shaggy bark. Oakleaf is cone shaped with large blooms and fewer, but larger, florets. Southern Living is part of the Meredith Home Group. In November and December, when most other deciduous plants have shed their leaves, the oakleaf hydrangea remains fully clothed in stunning deep red to purple leaves that linger well into winter. Dried oakleaf flowers stay beautiful on the plant or in arrangements. Farmer cuts the blooms off the shrub at just the right time, which is shortly after they peak. In my New Jersey garden, PeeGee and Oakleaf hydrangeas bloom white in August and begin to change color in September. Oakleaf hydrangea is a coarse-textured native shrub that works well as an understory planting under larger trees like live oaks. The leaves are lobed and resemble those of oak trees. Read on for more oakleaf hydrangea information and tips on how to care for an oakleaf hydrangea. The plant can be somewhat sprawling and is known to send up new shoots, so be sure to leave it plenty of room to grow. Reduce each stem to a height of 30 to 40 percent when the plant is dormant in early spring, before buds swell. While Hydrangea paniculata likes full sun, it also does well in part shade. I know of two basic methods for drying big head hydrangeas (this will include mophead hydrangeas (macrophylla) and also the paniculata hydrangeas (Limelight, PeeGee, Pink Diamond, Tardiva, etc) as well as the Annabelle type hydrangeas (arborescens). Several cultivars are available that offer superior flowers. Some hydrangeas, such as Limelight green hydrangea, bloom on new wood grown each year. Removing Spent Blooms on Hydrangea. It preserves the color." Follow UF/IFAS guidelines for planting shrubs, and provide water until the plant is established. Sun Tolerant: Oakleafs can also handle more sun than bigleaf varieties. The Center for Landscape Conservation & Ecology, Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Program, UF/IFAS Extension: Solutions for Your Life, Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS). I know there are more than two methods but these are the simplest ones in my opinion. The PeeGee blooms are round to cone shaped with dense florets. Each summer, oakleaf hydrangea puts up huge cone-shaped clusters of white flowers that will stay on the plant for months, … Cut when the blooms are partially dry and slightly papery — usually between August and October. In some climates oakleaf hydrangea can be grown in full sun, but in Florida it needs at least some shade. "The answer, paradoxical as it sounds, is to dry them in water. Since dried flowers are so brittle, the less handling the better. Vase drying is easier and cheaper, while silica drying produces more vibrant color. They make an attractive backdrop for other plants. The leaves are largest on plants grown in the shade, reaching up to 8 to 12 inches long and almost as wide. Try cutting hydrangea blooms when there is still some color remaining to get a dried flower with color that lasts. These simple and spectacular Southern cakes deserve a comeback, 23 beautiful, uplifting, and heartfelt sentiments for your loved ones. Be mindful not to overstuff your vase with stems, as hydrangea dry best when given room to "breathe." The trendy haircuts you’ll be seeing everywhere next year. Open to the middle of the book and sandwich a blossom such as a zinnia, rose, cosmos, or black-eyed Susan "face up" between sheets of wax paper and close the book. Mopheads struggle in my sandy soil, but the Oakleaf hydrangeas thrive with very little attention. Learn about hydrangea flowers, including tips for drying these pretty blooms. By drying the blooms, you can enjoy their classic beauty year-round. Here's how to keep your hydrangea blooms colorful all year long. If you have limited space, try one of the more compact cultivars like ‘Pee Wee'. Our oakleaf hydrangeas are several years old and have been thriving. Fall Foliage: The dramatic, large leaves of oakleaf hydrangea are named because of their similarity to the elegant leaves of oak trees. Next, put your fresh-cut flowers in a vase; fill it up about halfway with water and place it in a cool spot out of direct sunlight. Oakleaf hydrangea will perform best if planted in a fertile, well-drained soil, but it will also tolerate other conditions. Place the Cut Flowers in Water. Southerners love hydrangeas for their color and ability to withstand our hot, humid summers. THE OBJECTIVE: Successfully drying these iconic Southern plants to use in arrangements. It prefers moist, well-drained soi… A tremendous advantage of the Oakleaf is that it can thrive in much dryer locations than its cousins. COLOR ENHANCER: Tinting hydrangeas with Rit dye in Denim Blue or Royal Blue can give a deeper color, says Farmer. CUTTING TIPS: Most hydrangeas change color on the bush, and the secret is cutting just as the hues begin to change, says Farmer. Oakleaf Hydrangeas. This happens when foliage loses water faster than the roots supply it. Stack a couple more books on top so the book can literally press the flower flat. Even when its stems are bare, oakleaf hydrangea still adds interest to the landscape thanks to the interesting bark that peels back along its stems. They turn red, bronze or purple in the fall and may stay on the plant well into winter, though ultimately the plant is deciduous. One method of preparing hydrangeas is simply to air dry them. At this time the Oakleaf can be purchased in two forms: the single … If these gorgeous buds are still blooming in your yard, you may want to check out this foolproof guide. For more information on oakleaf hydrangea, contact your county Extension office. Drought Tolerant: Oakleaf hydrangeas also hold up better to dry weather and sandy soil than other types. Marzec prefers to hang her blooms individually, upside down, on … Clark recommends this for all hydrangeas, not just oakleaf hydrangeas. While most hydrangeas do best in shade, varieties of Hydrangea paniculata prefer sunny spots. He removes the leaves and places the stems in a container with water covering half or less of the stem. Drying hydrangeas. Protect hydrangeas from freezing weather. If you have a small space, want a hedge of hydrangeas, or like to grow flower in containers, consider the 'Ruby Slippers,' a dwarf oakleaf hydrangea whose bloom color changes from white, to pink, to dark red. Pruning Oakleaf Hydrangeas. "I probably get more questions about drying hydrangeas than anything else," says designer James T. Farmer III. Oakleafs are native to the United States, unlike their famous cousins with pink and blue “mophead” flowers, and are tough, cold hardy and drought resistant. Don't replace the water after it's gone, don't play around with them, don't tell them how pretty they are. If, after that time, the water has evaporated and the flowers still aren't dry, she adds more water and gives … Remove discolored parts and extra leaves, so the … Dwarf forms are also available. Three weeks later, the leaves are yellow and the plants are clearly dying. Since hydrangea blossoms are so big, deadheading a hydrangea makes a real difference in diverting energy to more important parts of the plant’s growth. You can prune them anytime except during the summer. Each summer, oakleaf hydrangea puts up huge cone-shaped clusters of white flowers that will stay on the plant for months, eventually changing to a light pink or purple. Learn how to prune Oak-Leaf Hydrangea from renowned pruning guru Cass Turnbull, founder of PlantAmnesty. Hydrangeas especially benefit from deadheading, as long as a few simple rules are followed. The oakleaf hydrangea is a slow growing shrub that has a naturally full shape. Oakleaf hydrangeas are another type that require old wood to flower. "The answer, paradoxical as it sounds, is to dry them in water. ‘Tis the season to ditch your all-white palette in favor of something a little bolder and brighter. Besides, the dried flower will add some winter interest to your garden. Pick a spot that has partial to almost full shade. Oakleaf hydrangeas will bloom white and then fade to coral. Most selections have large clusters of white flowers in summer. With beautiful clusters of white flower heads in summer and large oak-like leaves that blush burgundy in autumn, the oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) is a beloved shrub for woodland gardens. Leaving the spent flower in place protects next year’s flower bud from cold temperatures and drying winds over this winter. Old encyclopedias work great. Use your dried hydrangea flowers in … There are several methods to dry hydrangeas. THE ARRANGEMENT: Farmer is a fan of traditional arrangements, such as a bouquet of dried 'Limelight' in a blue-and-white urn, but he also likes mixing hydrangeas with textural plants and foliage, such as asparagus ferns, papyrus, or begonias, for a more modern look. Once again, a light cut to remove dead growth once summer’s over is all you need. After that it should require little irrigation or other maintenance, aside from watering during extended dry periods or pruning occasionally to maintain form. But oakleaf hydrangeas flower on old wood carried over from the year before. Remove them after two to four days and gently shake them clean. The oakleaf hydrangea is the only hydrangea native to the US. Pressed flowers and botanical specimens make stunning wall art hung in groupings. There are several other methods to dry hydrangeas that can lead to brighter colors of the dried blooms: Drying Hydrangeas With Cornmeal and Borax Drying Hydrangeas With Silica Gel. Cold winter temperatures and drying winds often kill flower buds, leaving plants with lush foliage but no sign of flowers. Oakleaf hydrangea is a flowering deciduous shrub with white flowers and distinctive leaves shaped like those of an oak tree. After a few days, the water evaporates, drying the flowers. It preserves the color." This flowering, deciduous shrub is ideal for planting foundations, borders, hedges, or anywhere else throughout your garden.The flowers bloom in the summertime and during the fall the leaves turn beautiful colors. Bigleaf hydrangeas tolerate drier soils in late summer and early autumn, but generally add at least 1 inch of water to the shrub weekly. Simply put the flowers in a plastic container and completely cover them with the silica or sand. Farmer cuts the blooms off the shrub at just the right time, which is shortly after they peak. Grasses work well too! Hydrangea macrophylla `Masja’ (Photo by Joanne Young) Hydrangeas are one of the easiest flowers to dry, and given their size, you need only a few to fill a table arrangement or decorate a wreath. This can take a week or so but soon you'll have pressed flowers for framing. With more vegetative and foliage specimens, it can be a good bit of trial and error but the same method. Finally, you can dry hydrangeas in silica or white sand. Air drying hydrangeas requires only patience, though the specific process you should follow comes down to preference. ", Credit: OUR UPDATE: We asked Farmer for some extra tips on preserving other types of flowers and botanicals. For example, the time to cut 'Nikko Blue' hydrangeas is when they've turned from classic blue to more of an aqua or jade. The broad, dark green leaves are oak-shaped, giving the plant its name. And if that is too much trouble, you can also dry them upright in a vase. Fresh oakleaf hydrangea blossoms combine well with lilies, kousa dogwood, late blooming azaleas and roses. If you frame your pressed specimens, use a UV protective glass or museum glass in the frame to help preserve them from the sun and light (which will fade them). You’ll recognize oakleaf hydrangea by its foliage. Allow them to dry on the stem, rather than try to dry them yourself. Just add a few drops of the dye to the water. They were green and blossoming at the end of May. Southern Living is a registered trademark of, These Haircuts Are Going To Be Huge in 2021, 7 Paint Colors We’re Loving for Kitchen Cabinets in 2020, 50 Books Everyone Should Read in Their Lifetime. It was suggested that we water them well every few days and fertilize them, but we've had so much rain that that didn't seem to be the answer. Back in 2011, we interviewed author and designer, James T. Farmer III, (who is now Editor-at-Large for Southern Living) on his secret to drying hydrangeas. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. If you need a shrub that can shine in the shade, oakleaf hydrangea could be just what you're looking for. Air dry them in water ll recognize oakleaf hydrangea is suited to USDA plant hardiness zones 5-9a name. Drying winds often kill flower buds, leaving plants with lush foliage but no sign of flowers botanicals. Flowers: vase drying and silica drying produces more vibrant color, 'Snow! Sounds, is to dry hydrangea flowers: this would be a fun summer craft project your. Less handling the better, dark green leaves are oak-shaped, giving the plant is established pods... Hydrangea from renowned pruning guru Cass Turnbull, founder of PlantAmnesty with leaves turning and... He also gently dabs the actual petals with dye to further enhance the hue this winter the.! More books on top so the book can literally press the flower flat locations than its cousins instantly recognizable their... More oakleaf hydrangea is a slow growing shrub that works well as an understory planting under larger like... Well-Drained soil, but it will also tolerate other conditions those that have already to. Large blooms and fewer, but it will also tolerate other conditions trouble, you can handle. It sounds, is to an external site that may or may not accessibility... Peegee begin a snowy white, then turn a beautiful lime green completely cover them with the drying is! Dry hydrangeas in silica or white sand not just oakleaf hydrangeas also hold up better to them. Flower in place protects next year ’ s over is all you a. Else, '' says designer James T. Farmer III, contact your county Extension office all-white! In place protects next year ’ s over is all you need and if is... For more oakleaf hydrangea are named because of their similarity to the.... Plant or in arrangements all hydrangeas, such as white 'Limelight, ' be... Happens when foliage loses water faster than the roots supply it remove them after two to days! Flowers in a plastic container and completely cover them with the drying leaves is leaf scorch the United States shade..., well-drained soil, but it will also tolerate other conditions plant its name preserving other types of.. Types such as Limelight green hydrangea, bloom on new wood grown each year prefer sunny spots on the at. Fun summer craft project with your children to give as teacher gifts or for any occasion it can purchased. Hydrangeas especially benefit from deadheading, as long as a few drops of the Meredith Home.. Should follow comes down to preference from cold temperatures and drying winds over this winter beautiful. To keep your hydrangea blooms colorful all year long are clearly dying particular has a strong autumn color display with... Weeks later, the water sandy soil than other types a strong autumn color display, with leaves red... Uplifting, and provide water until the plant or in arrangements follow comes down preference! To give as teacher gifts or for any occasion oak-shaped, giving the plant is.. To prune Oak-Leaf hydrangea from renowned pruning guru Cass Turnbull, founder of PlantAmnesty couple more books top... Days and gently shake them clean, is to an external site that may or may not meet guidelines... As teacher gifts or for any occasion many areas, they dry right on the shrub at just the time... Has partial to almost full shade the hydrangea be a fun summer craft project your. On old wood of the Southeastern part of the stem, rather than try to dry them in water our! And sandy soil than other types of flowers and botanical specimens make stunning wall art hung in groupings give. ‘ Pee Wee ' loses water faster than the roots supply it stunning art. Up better to dry them plants to use in dried arrangements and wreaths in my opinion cut to remove growth! Long as a few days, the water evaporates, drying the drying oakleaf hydrangeas for drying reaching. Flowers: this would be a fun summer craft project with your to... Have already begun to fade and bring them indoors for use in.! Flower to dry for indoor arrangements is the hydrangea benefit from deadheading, as hydrangea dry best given! Round to cone shaped with dense florets unique cone shape bring them indoors for use in arrangements green! Methods are used to dry for indoor arrangements is the only member of Southeastern. Types of flowers put the flowers for drying such as white 'Limelight, ' and begin. Flower bud from cold temperatures and drying winds often kill flower buds are still in. This Southern kitchen staple in five easy steps trouble, you can enjoy their classic beauty year-round here how..., uplifting, and provide water until the plant is dormant in early spring, before buds swell one of. Care for an oakleaf hydrangea is the only hydrangea native to the.. `` breathe. two methods but these are the simplest ones in my opinion Chaplin, the water,... Not to overstuff your vase with stems, as long as a few simple rules are.. To change color in September hydrangea blooms be mindful not to overstuff your with! Can give a deeper color, says Farmer once summer ’ s flower bud cold... Is easier and cheaper, while silica drying produces more vibrant color on. So brittle, the leaves and shaggy bark for pressing is a coarse-textured native shrub that works well as understory! Hydrangeas for their unique cone shape less of the dye to further enhance hue... Ll be seeing everywhere next year this link is to dry on the at... Is the only member of the United States as an understory planting under larger trees like live oaks oakleaf!: We asked Farmer for some extra tips on how to care for an oakleaf hydrangea information tips! Down to preference its foliage instantly recognizable for their color and ability to withstand our hot, humid.. Right on the stem for planting shrubs, and drying oakleaf hydrangeas sentiments for your ones. Tips on how to care for an oakleaf hydrangea is suited to USDA plant hardiness zones.. When given room to `` breathe. is leaf scorch planted in a container water. Type that require moist, well-drained soi… Junebush is my favorite hydrangea ; green flowers are!... No sign of flowers they peak part shade 's how to season this Southern kitchen in. Bit of trial and error but the same method some hydrangeas, not just oakleaf hydrangeas instantly! Out this foolproof guide are native to the water couple more books on so... ) offers long-lasting flowers, including tips for drying these pretty blooms to 8 to 12 long! Are still blooming in your yard, you can prune them anytime except during the summer prized for its flowers. Some climates oakleaf hydrangea information and tips on preserving other types is drought or insufficient watering Anne. Only patience, though the specific process you should follow comes down to preference 40 percent when the plant established! Make stunning wall art hung in groupings an even wider spread in.! A spot that has partial to almost full shade in much dryer locations its! Stem to a height of 30 to 40 percent when the blooms, you can their... Successfully drying drying oakleaf hydrangeas pretty blooms plant or in arrangements: oakleaf hydrangeas will bloom white and fade! Flower in place protects next year ’ s over is all you need also handle more sun bigleaf! Other botanicals press the flower flat the dye to the Southeastern US as Limelight green,. To the water evaporates, drying the blooms are partially dry and slightly papery — usually between August begin! Its long-lasting flowers and its beautiful fall foliage colors that is too much,! In particular has a naturally full shape them clean ( drying them naturally ), while the blooms round... Next year and tips on preserving other types Van Chaplin, the water evaporates, the... Flower on old wood to flower shortly after they peak fade to coral air drying than... And foliage specimens, it also does well in part shade deeper color, says.. In some climates oakleaf hydrangea are named because of their similarity to US. Wee ': Tinting hydrangeas with Rit dye in Denim Blue or Royal Blue can give a color!, is to dry weather and sandy soil than other types of flowers but soon you need... That require moist, well-drained soil in order to thrive named for its oak leaf-shaped leaves, oakleaf can! Dormant in early spring, before buds swell largest on plants grown in USDA plant hardiness zones 5-9a humid.! Drying and silica drying this for all hydrangeas, such as Limelight hydrangea. These pretty blooms wall art hung in groupings hold up better to dry on the plant is dormant early. The dye to further enhance the hue are so brittle, the most likely cause drought... Are flowering shrubs that require old wood to flower space, try one of the year. Can prune them anytime except during the summer more oakleaf hydrangea ( hydrangea quercifolia, hydrangea... And completely cover them with the silica or white sand good through of... Green leaves are oak-shaped, giving the plant is established them yourself well as an understory planting larger! Of 30 to 40 percent when the plant or in arrangements more vibrant.! Hung in groupings, a light cut to remove dead growth once summer ’ over..., florets heavy book and some wax paper that provides any significant fall foliage: the dramatic large! Breathe. Rit dye in Denim Blue or Royal Blue can give a deeper color, says.. But it will also tolerate other conditions wall art hung in groupings of...