These photos were taken last summer at my house. Here, displayed on my kitchen table are mophead hydrangeas. They came from one of my shrubs seen in next photo. When out in my garden gathering hydrangeas, I always (use clean pruning shears) do the cutting in the early morning or late afternoon.

Hydrangeas can wilt after cutting. Known causes vary such as when the plant was cut, heat stress or sticky fluids in the stem which prevent moisture reaching the blooms. To remedy, a conditioning method is required. The one method I do never fails me. Hence, no wilting occurs during their time in arrangements. To begin, once gathered and stems cut at an angle including leaves removed; the flowers are quickly plunged up to their necks in a bucket of cool water. Afterward, I'll usually leave them outdoors in a cool spot away from direct sunlight. Four hours later, they're brought indoors to my kitchen sink. After filling my sink with cold water, the stems are recut under water at an angle with another slight vertical crosscut on the tips of the stems. Finally, they're ready to place in arrangements. While displayed, I make sure they're not placed in direct sunlight or hot areas of the house.





June's Tip: If you're bringing the hydrangeas indoors from the garden, firmly hold the woody stems with their flower heads faced downward and give a gentle shake. This helps disperse bugs, especially garden spiders from entering indoors.