What to Do With Dried Hydrangeas

Hydrangea Wreaths

• Make a beautiful addition to almost any decor with a wreath. To make your hydrangea wreath, chose a styrofoam wreath base from a craft store. You'll also need a glue gun, scissors, wire and wire cutters.

  Wrap the wire around the foam wreath, forming a loop for later hanging. Soak your dried hydrangea flowers in warm water for 15 minutes. This will make it easier to cut the flowers to the desired size and eliminate breakage. Place the damp flowers on an absorbant surface, such as a paper towel.

  Cut your hydrangea stems, leaving only about 1 inch. After applying a little glue to the stem, press it gently into the foam.

  When working with more than one color or shade of hydrangea, separate them and use one color at a time, spreading them around the wreath base to ensure your wreath has a good balance of color. Make sure your blooms are uniform in height so no one sticks out farther than another.

  Let your wreath dry overnight before hanging.

Dyeing Hydrangea

• Dye hydrangeas to your desired color the same way you would dye cloth, even a year after drying.

  Boil water with the color of dye you desire per the bottle's instructions. For intense color, dip the dried hydrangea flower heads into the boiling liquid. For a lighter color, let the dye solution cool until it's hot, but not bubbling. Hang your hydrangea over a protected area and let dry completely.

Holiday Decorations

• Tuck dried hydrangeas into the boughs of your Christmas tree to add that old-fashioned touch. Pair dried hydrangeas with evergreen branches, ivy and baby's breath for a unique display for a mantle.

Candle Rings

• Using a similar technique as the wreath, dried hydrangeas are beautiful ringed around your favorite candle. Find a foam ring at a craft store large enough to accommodate the flowers and the candle.

  Dip your hydrangeas in boiling water and place on a paper towel or cloth to dry. Snip the large florets into smaller flowers. With a hot glue gun, set on its lowest setting, touch the stem of the hydrangea with a drop of glue and press into the foam ring. Continue until the entire ring is covered. Let your dried hydrangea candle ring dry for a day before using.