An easy DIY project for making a dried hydrangea wreath is a lovely way to continue enjoying the beautiful flowers from your garden well after the blooming season ends. The colors of each flower softens to a lovely, vintage-looking pastel shade.
How-to for drying hydrangea flowers
It might take a lot of space but it isn’t hard or complicated to dry hydrangea flowers. Of course, it depends on how many flowers you want to dry. I have a lot of bushes that produce many flowers each. Way more than I can use really.
Click Drying Flowers for the how-to post with many photos.
Occasionally I receive a lovely bouquet of roses. Just when they are beginning to fade I take them from the vase of water and hang them upside down. It is super easy and they come out perfect. My technique it not very scientific but it works. Click How to dry Roses for the super easy method, if you can call it a method 🙂
When your flowers are dried you can display them in a vase or use them to create a lasting arrangement or wreath to carry you through the winter and beyond.
Supplies you will need to make a wreath with hydrangea
- Dried flowers: I used hydrangea (both green and purple), White roses (that changed to a deep cream color) and red rose buds.
- Grapevine wreath (mine were 24-inch and 12-inch size)
- pruning shears
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Nylon Ties
- Clear Craft Spray (I used Krylon Lacquer)
If you want to add a last-name Letter, you will need:
- Wooden letter in your size of choice, sanded/painted/stained/finished as you like
- 2 tiny eye hooks for each letter
- Thread or thin string to attach letter to wreath
How to Build a wreath with dried hydrangea
Using pruning shears, cut flower stem about 4-6-inches long, at a sharp angle to create a point. Holding the stem, insert into wreath guiding the stem in the direction of the branches. I found the hydrangea held secure but you can use hot glue to be sure the flowers are well attached.
Continue adding the dried flowers in an arrangement that is pleasing.
You can place flowers in just part of the grapevine wreath or completely cover it.
Insert a nylon tie on the top back to form a hanger for the wreath.
After you have finished adding all of the flowers, take the wreath outside, and spray with the lacquer; hang to dry.
To personalize, I added a (last-name initial) letter to the larger wreaths.
After purchasing the letters, sand, paint and finish as desired. Screw tiny eye hooks into the back. Using triple thick, matching thread, inserted through each hook, tie/secure to the wreath.
The dried hydrangea will last for a long time.
Faded to a neutral tan color, this wreath still looks nice after it has been hanging for a year.
These giant hydrangea have been in my powder room for two years. They faded from light green to a tan-ish color. I left them natural and did not sprayed with the lacquer as the ones I just made. Time will tell if the sprayed blossoms retain their color for a longer time.
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marie says
September 9, 2013 at 2:41 pmSo beautiful Lorraine! I think I like the one with the "L" the very best. The simplicity of it is so lovely! Thank you for sharing all the tips about drying hydrangeas, and making such wonderful wreaths from them!
Karen says
September 3, 2013 at 9:46 amWow! These are so pretty. I especially like the multicolored wreath!
kitty says
September 2, 2013 at 11:31 amLorraine, your wreath is just breathtaking. I wish I could grow hydrangeas. I have one plant and I'm hoping it'll make it.
SarahGeorge says
September 2, 2013 at 5:29 amWonderful! I'm just amazed to see your two year old flowers :)They are simply beautiful. And the wreath you've made with this year's blossom is so beautiful!
Maggie Ann says
September 2, 2013 at 2:48 amThis is beautiful and you are so talented! I am so impressed….=)
janice15 says
September 1, 2013 at 5:28 amSo lovely, I love hydrangeas.. I have two small plants… hoping this next year they will grown larger to do this.. Happy Sunday with love Janice
lindsey says
August 31, 2013 at 7:18 pmThese wreaths are amazing, I love dried hydrangeas, we have just returned from holiday in Cornwall where we visited some beautiful gardens with hundreds of hydrangea bushes of all different colours. This tutorial is great, thank you!
Personalized Sketches and Sentiments says
August 31, 2013 at 11:33 amGorgeous hydrangea wreaths! I love hydrangeas!
Blessings & Aloha!
I am late again…in my blog visits! but happy to be here. And thank you so much again for your sweet visit!
CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS says
August 29, 2013 at 7:31 pmI love the dry flower reef idea especially with the Hydrangea and roses. Lovely idea indeed. Hugs Judy
Tammy@T's Daily Treasures says
August 29, 2013 at 4:42 pmGosh, they are so beautiful! I don't know how you get dried flowers to look so lovely and retain their color. Around here, they just look dead. 🙂 Thanks for thinking of me while I was away. Best wishes, Tammy
Just a little something from Judy says
August 29, 2013 at 10:05 amYou are a most gifted lady! In your quiet, gracious way, you continue to teach all of us so many new and interesting lessons. This wreath is beautiful! Thank you for the ideas, including the step by step processes. You have an eye for decorating and I love that you share your home décor with us.
Debbie Petras says
August 28, 2013 at 2:17 pmI love hydrangeas! In fact, I do believe they are my favorite. I love how Ina Garten of Barefoot Contessa arranges them in vases for entertaining. But they don't do well in Phoenix; too hot and dry here.
Blessings and love,
Debbie
Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces says
August 28, 2013 at 5:16 amSo lovely…the colors are beautiful together!
Blackberry Lane says
August 28, 2013 at 1:20 amYou are so talented. These are so beautiful and the photos are outstanding.
Ann says
August 27, 2013 at 11:09 pmThe wreaths are gorgeous and those giant hydrangea in your powder room are just amazing.
Gypsy Heart says
August 27, 2013 at 11:58 pmJust beautiful! Each one has a special look. I'm especially loving the solid green. I don't have flowers to dry but this is a wonderful idea!
xo
Pat
Lynn@Happier Than a Pig in Mud says
August 27, 2013 at 10:16 pmYour wreathes turned out beautiful! It's so nice when you can make something you've grown last a long time-enjoy:@)
Winnie says
August 27, 2013 at 10:06 pmIt loos SUPER BEAUTIFUL !!
You are very creative and very talented Lorraine 🙂
Barbara F. says
August 27, 2013 at 10:01 pmSo beautiful, Lorraine, love the addition of the letters. And the fabulous milk glass in your powder room, love! xo
podso says
August 27, 2013 at 6:17 pmSimply so lovely and gracious. And they look good wherever you have placed the wreaths or bouquets!
Keri On says
August 27, 2013 at 6:08 pmBeautiful! Thanks for your tutorial!
Sue says
August 27, 2013 at 5:35 pmYour wreaths are beautiful, thank you so much for the tutorial.
Adrienne says
August 27, 2013 at 3:11 pmI LOVE Hydrangeas and Roses! Your wreath is gorgeous. I'm going to harvest some of each and try to make a grapevine wreath for my home. Thanks for sharing your secrets.
~Adrienne~
Debbie Huffaker says
August 27, 2013 at 12:04 pmBeautiful. Is there nothing you can't do? God has truly blessed you with many talents and you're not letting them go to waste!!!
Debby Ray says
August 27, 2013 at 9:33 amAbsolutely gorgeous…especially the one with the roses! I have a bunch of dried roses I have collected over the years but don't have any hydrangeas. I may have to find some now! Thank you for your inspiration 🙂