How to dry to keep color on Hydrangea

I just cut them when they are at their peak color, put them in vases and let them dry naturally. You can spray them with hair spray to help keep the small flowers intact. They will last for at least 2 years if you have them in a place where they don't get moved around very much. They probably aren't as vibrant when they are fresh but they still retain a pretty muted color.

I always hang them upside down in the dark garage till their dried. Tie them with string and hang from nails on the rafters. This works for drying all flowers/herbs

Just take a sample of the soil and have it checked to see if it is acidic. For blue color it would not be, for pink it would be. I think I have the colors correct. I do know that you can add an acid fertilizer to the soil to enhance the color and then a special ingredient to remove the acid and it should change colors. I had a lovely blue one and when I planted it outside, the next time it bloomed it was pink. Just depends on the soil. Just ask any greenhouse or garden center person. They can tell you exactly what product to use and how much.

I misunderestood the question. I thought the person was asking how to keep the color of the hydrangea from changing. My answer has nothing to do with the real question. Sorry about that!

Drying with silica sand helps retain the color and shape. Put the flower in a small box and carefully add loose silica sand until the flower is covered. Cons..Silica is dusty and can be difficult to brush away from fragile dried petals.

You could also try a preserving method using glycerin. Add it to the water in the vase. Fresh cut flowers take it up and it absorbs at a cellular level to keep flowers supple and soft. Cons...I haven't had much success with this. The flowers wilt before they draw up enough glycerin. You may have better luck.

thanks ,I'll try them all

I have done dried flowers before and I did have some luck. Hand it in the garage upside down and keep it out there until it is totally dried out, not green growth showing. Take it down carefully and spray it with hairspray or a clear varnish to keep the flowers from falling off. Rick Allen