Hortensia bleu

I don't recall ever setting my brown yeux on a more beautiful bleu!

The hortensia bushes have abundant blooms this season. It's everything I can do to not pick the flowers for arrangements. I'm wanting to dry them instead. 

They line the north side of our home with their stunning beauté.

They are such a sight to see that I've even had folks drive by our home, turn around and stop and ask me what kind of fleur they are. 

I do nothing to the soil. We've had an extremely dry spring so I have watered them, but other than that nothing. There are pink blossoms too! 

They will be ready to sec in around three weeks. If you're picking hydrangea for drying wait until they've bloomed. After they bloom they become top heavy and their blooms begin to turn green. That's when you pick them for drying. No special process for drying at the point. I do remove the leaves, but other than that. I then place the stems in a vase or whatever conteneur I wish to use and that's it!

I have dried blooms from several years ago! They last a long time if dried. Kind of like Bittersweet. 

I'm experimenting this summer with a variety of everlasting flowers that will be dried. I'm so excité about the idee of dried flowers. I've always been fond of them. Mustn't forget lavender...

Oh and if you cut the flower fresh to enjoy as an arrangement. Always smash the stem with a case knife or scissor handle. If you don't do this your bloom won't last through the day. However if you do, they will last up to two - three weeks!

Ayez un beau jour

 

Jill