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How to Cut Hydrangeas and Keep Them Fresh

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How to Cut Hydrangeas and Keep Them Fresh

It is hydrangea season at our homes. Their beautiful blue mopheads bloom early in the summer and they keep on blooming almost until early frost.  Today we are sharing our tips on how to cut hydrangeas and keep them fresh.

Sometimes hydrangeas may seem to be a bit finicky. But that’s only because we may not know how to handle them properly. Maybe you read a previous post, Simple Tips for Growing Hydrangeas in the South.

Only Cut Mature Blooms

Cut hydrangeas first thing in the morning

Hydrangeas are filled with moisture in the morning. This is important to keep them fresh. 

Take a bucket of water out to the garden with you and sharp garden clippers

Cut the stem of the hydrangeas at a 45 % angle 

Immediately place them in the bucket of water.

This prevents them from forming a healing substance over the ends so they can take up water.

Strip off all of the Leaves

When you bring hydrangeas inside make sure you strip off the leaves from each hydrangea stem. The leaves love water will steal it from the blooms. You can leave the leaves on your blooms, but absolutely remove the ones below the water line.

Cut the Stems Again at a 45 Degree Angle

Cut the hydrangeas stems to the desired length

Boil Water

  • Boil water and then pour into a heat-proof bowl or pail. 
  • Have vases and containers ready, filled with clean cool water for hydrangea bouquets.
  • Strip the leaves off the stems.
  • Make a fresh, 45 degree angle cut at the bottom of the stem.   
  • Working as quickly as possible, dip that stem into your container of boiling water for half a minute, then place in your vase filled with water. The boiling water has two purposes, one, hydrangea stems produce a sap that can clog the stem, the boiling water clears that up- and two, the boiling water takes care of any bacteria that might be there.

KEEP IT CLEAN

Change the water every couple of  days in your hydrangea containers. If you have left the leaves intact, more frequent watering in required. My hydrangea bouquets last for weeks.

Create Beautiful Bouquets

You can see the color variations of the blooms. These were cut off of the same bush, but some have a purple tint.

We aren’t sure why this has been a banner blooming year for our hydrangea bushes. Possibly the cooler spring weather, light rains or just dumb luck.

Whatever the reason, we are so very happy and grateful for their bounty.

Do you love hydrangeas as much as we do?

Don’t forget to Pin this to your favorite Pinterest Board!

3 Comments

  1. Where did you get the vase with the rattan/wicker(?) woven onto it?

    1. Hi Marcia!

      This vase was purchased from the clearance rack at Hobby Lobby a few years ago. We are not sure if they carry these anymore. Good luck with your search.

      ~Vicki and Jenn
      2 Bees

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