Pages

Monday, June 4, 2012

Hydrangeas: How to Make Cut Blooms Last


I am super thankful that the person who owned this house before me loved hydrangeas as much as I do.  She planted about 15 different bushes with at least 4 different varieties.  They line my driveway and make my heart happy every time I pull in.  Along with that goes threats from me every time someone is backing out of my driveway..."you hit my hydrangeas and I may literally kill you!!"  I'm only partially kidding :-)
The best part for me is having more to cut than I know what to do with!  Back before the days of Pinterest I actually pulled an article out of Southern Living written by the Grumpy Gardener on how to make your hydrangea blooms last.  It is old and wrinkly and I still refer to it to refresh my memory at the beginning of every season. 

1.  Plunge stems in cool water immediately after cutting
2. Pour about 1 inch of boiling water into a container and let it cool for a few minutes.
3. Cut the stems at an angle at the length you want for your arrangement.
4.Hold the bottom 1 inch of the stems in the hot water for about 30 seconds.
5. Transfer the stems to cool water for your arrangement.

Do not ask me the reason behind this method because I can honestly say I do not know why... but it works!
I love these blue hydrangeas in a simple white pitcher.
The arrangement on the left is in my dining room.  It has been on this table with only one water change and stem trim for over two weeks now and is still looking amazing!  The one on the right I cut and brought in yesterday without going through the above steps and as you can see it is already more wilted than the other.  It is worth the extra time to have your arrangement last literally weeks longer!  These little arrangements are my go to hostess gift all summer.  You can pick up a cute vase at a thrift store, add hydrangeas and have a gift most anyone would love. 

Here are a couple other varieties from my yard.
Nightingale Lace Cap Hydrangea
Oak Leaf Hydrangea
For all other cut flowers refer to Rebekah's post from last week.
For tips on drying hydrangeas refer to this post on our dried hydrangea wreath.

Coming up Wednesday will be the Entry Closet Makeover reveal! I just have to find a few baskets I like and do some touch up painting.  See here for the inspiration and before pictures.  Also, and recap of the greatest weekend ever with the Hendricks and Moody's including lots of pictures of muddy husbands and kids from the Mad Mountain Mud Run. 

Last but not least Rebekah and I are planning a series on getting balance is all aspects of our (your) life because we have decided we both are in serious need.  We are going to figure out how to get our bodies, parenting, homes, and work lives more balanced, organized and healthy.  Stay tuned.  We have a lot of work to do in a lot of areas and we want you to follow along, help us out, and join in with us!

Kandi

Partying at some of these awesome places!

Motivate Me Monday  Polly Want a Crafter Sew Can Do Boogieboard Cottage DIY Home Sweet Home Brassy Apple Serendipity and Spice Destination Craft Mrs Happy Homemaker Make it Yourself Monday Ask Anna C.R.A.F.T. The Southern Institute The DIY Showoff Craftomaniac Raising 4 Princesses Between Naps on the Porch Bedazzle Me Monday The Life of a Not So Ordinary Wife Make Something Monday

A Diamond in the Stuff Stringtown Home Organizing Home Life Tuesday Tutorials  Be Inspired Tuesday Time Out A to Zebra Celebrations My Favorite Finds Eye Heart Our Delightful Home The Inspiration Board Too Cute Tuesday Trick or Treat Tuesday Chef in Training Sugar Bee Crafts Hope Studios Tell it to me Tuesday Your Cozy Home Party Turquoise Lovin’ Tuesday To Do Party Cherished Bliss Anti-Procrastination Tuesdays Type A Adventures of a DIY Mom Show Me What Ya Got Get Your Craft On Nifty Thrifty Tuesday Tuesday Confessional Teagan Travels How to Nest for Less A Bowl Full of Lemons Tuesday Trade Off Tip Junkie T2T Tuesday Tuesday Treasures Ladybug Blessings Creative Itch Toot your Horn Tuesday Jillify It Tutorial Tuesday Pin Cushion Creations Spicy Link Up

Junk in their Trunk  Polkadots on Parade Sugar and Dots Rock N Share Clean & Scentsible The Trendy Treehouse Beyond the Picket Fence School House Scraps The Thrifty Home Sew Woodsy Savvy Southern Style Your Whims Wednesday Wow me Wednesday A Little Tipsy Women Living Well Primp your Stuff Wednesday Show and Share Mrs. Fox’s Sweet Party Whatever goes Wednesday

  Live.Laugh.Rowe Adventures in Dinner Mom on Timeout The CSI Project Share Your Cup Thursday Fabulously Flawed It’s Sew Stinking Cute The Shabby Creek Cottage The Crafty Blog Stalker Christina’s Adventures Crafty Scrappy Happy Embracing Change 52 Mantels Bear Rabbit Bear The Vintage Farmhouse Bloom Designs A Turtles Life for Me The Taylor House Rhinestone Beagle The Brambleberry Cottage

 The Shabby Nest Tidy Mom Joyful Stamper My Simple Home Life Remodelaholic Delicate Construction Happy Hour Projects Chic on a Shoestring Decorating 504 Main Hating Martha The Creative Paige Here Comes the Sun Cookie Nut Creations Bacon Time Joy in the Jumble The Grant Life Dotted Line Crafts Love Notes by Lauren Raising Oranges Making Lemonade Redoux Interiors Sassy Sites One Artsy Momma My Romantic Home Petals to Picots Pandoras Craft Box My Repurposed Life French Country Cottage At the Picket Fence Just Us Four Mommas Kinda Crafty Craftionary Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons Just Us 4 Sweet Tooth Friday 30 Handmade Days Lovely Crafty Home

Mama Mias Heart to Heart Homemaker in Heels Family Ever After Lady Bird Lane Serenity You The Gingerbread Blog

Cherished Treasures Re-made Just Right Under the Table & Dreaming The Sweet talk Shop Sassafrass Salvation Simple as That My 1929 Charmer Heatherly Loves The Sasse Life Joy 2 Journey The Foley

25 comments:

  1. Wow, those flowers are beyond gorgeous! Great tips on making them last longer!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh how lucky. I planted two bushes last year, so they aren't real big yet, but they do have about a dozen flowers each. I keep debating if I want to cut and enjoy them, I think I will cut a couple and try this trick! Thanks!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Go ahead and cut a few then read the post on how to dry them and then you can enjoy them for years to come!

      Delete
  3. Add me to that list of Crazy about Hydrangeas people...I DO HOPE YOU LOVE DRIED HYDRANGEAS..this way you can enjoy them year round..oak leaf are a no brainer..theyll dry in the vase w water still in them or on the bush..but not as pretty dried on the bush..If you have quesions email me and I will share about cutting and also pruning and drying.can't live w/o hydrangeas.. thank u for sharing that beautiful picture along your driveway.
    ~Jonell

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ooh, when/if my hydrangeas bloom, I gotta try this tip! I'll be pinning so I don't forget! Thanks for sharing :-)

    www.1dogwoof.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks for the tip! I absolutely love hydrangeas too. I just planted some in my front yard!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh thanks so much for this tutorial on how to make hydangeas last longer, Kandi! I am going to "pin" it to keep on hand. Your hydrangeas in your yard are just beautiful! I saw your post over at "Carolyn's Homework".

    ReplyDelete
  7. That's a great tip.... I have 'snowballs' that I will try this with since they too usually wilt away quickly like hydrangeas. I'm jealous of your yard lol! I hope you'll come share this at my link party going on now :) http://www.salttree.net/2012/06/open-call-tuesdays-7-giveaway.html

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a good tip! I'm pinning it. Thank you for sharing this.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Absolutely beautiful!! TFS! Stopping by from Show me What You Got linky party. Here is what I shared: http://craftybrooklynarmywife.blogspot.ca/2012/06/kids-roll-up-nap-blanket.html

    ReplyDelete
  10. That's a great tip! I should plant some hydrangeas. They're so pretty. Thanks for sharing at Terrific Tuesdays.
    Rachel
    adventuresofadiymom.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanks for sharing this tip.... I'll definitely have to give it a try!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I have a lot of hydrangeas too so this his a great tip!! Unfortunately mine are not blooming yet. First time visiting and your newest follower, hope you will stop by and see my clematis this week,. Thanks Laura

    ReplyDelete
  13. I adore hydrangeas; my husband planted three new bushes for me this year.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Interesting! I wonder if it would work with other branch type blooms like Lilacs? I Pinned this so I can refer to it later.

    I could use some gardening tips on my web site...would love if you would post and share it with my readers! Join the Community and share any of your creative project!

    Susan @ Oh My! Creative

    ReplyDelete
  15. These are gorgeous flowers and I can never make mine last. Thank you so much for sharing these tips!
    Stopping by from the Southern Lovely party :-)

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love hydrangeas and miss the gorgeous one we had at our old house. Can't wait to get some in the ground at our current home. I would love it if you would share this on my linky party Tout It Tuesday. http://www.claimingourspace.com/2012/06/tout-it-tuesday-9.html

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thanks so much for sharing that tip--I will try it for sure!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Great to know. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Love Hydrangeas and I am going to have to try this! Thanks so much for sharing at Toot Your Horn Tuesday :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. I am so jealous of all your hydrangeas!! LOL You are so lucky! I have so much trouble growing them here. Didn't have difficulty in the past but moved here 17 yrs ago and am still struggling to get them to thrive. I finally have 3 that are doing "ok". Ended up putting them in containers in the gazebo. We get pretty hot here in the Summer and didn't have any tress when we moved in. My trees have matured and given us much needed shade, but am scared to actually put them in the ground given my past experiences. So weird, My Mom had many hydrangeas and they flourished..she was in the same climate I am now.
    Anyway, thanks so much for the tip!! Much appreicated for when I have an actual bloom to bring in and enjoy :)
    *hugs*deb

    ReplyDelete
  21. Your blogs and every other content is so entertaining and useful It makes me come back again.visit your url

    ReplyDelete
  22. Your blogs and every other content is so entertaining and useful It makes me come back again.visit your url

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hey really wonderful blog.. i read your content i think it's very useful for us.. Thanks so much for your tips!! good job.. keep it up!!!

    Hydrangea

    ReplyDelete