How to Make a Hydrangea Flower Arrangement That Dries in Place

How to Make a Hydrangea Flower Arrangement

If you love hydrangeas but aren’t sure how to arrange them, this easy DIY project is for you. I’ll walk you through step-by-step how to turn fresh hydrangea blooms into a stunning flower arrangement that will dry in place and last for months. The best part? This hydrangea centerpiece uses an upcycled piece of packing material as the base—proof that you can create beautiful décor without spending much or adding more to the landfill.

This past week felt a little different around our cottage. My husband had to travel for a work summit, so my mom came to stay with me. It was a week that felt like stepping back into my childhood—I made dinner every night, we watched movies, and even started a few new series. Between the home improvement shows and murder mysteries, we had a well-rounded TV lineup.

Bentley, of course, decided grandma was more fun than me. He slept with her every night, probably just for variety. I had to laugh—dogs really do know how to keep us humble.

But the real highlight of the week came when Mom walked in carrying a gift: an entire wastebasket filled with cut hydrangeas, spilling over in every direction. I’ve shared before that she has a green thumb, while mine is more of a “black thumb.” These blooms are living proof of her gardening magic. Aren’t they gorgeous? I fell in love immediately.

As I carried that basket into the house, ideas were already spinning in my head. Hydrangeas have always been a favorite of mine. There’s something about their large, cloud-like blooms that makes them feel timeless and elegant. And the best part? Hydrangeas dry beautifully, which means with the right arrangement, you can enjoy them long after they’ve left the garden.

Today, I’m sharing how I made a hydrangea flower arrangement that looks stunning fresh and will dry in place for year-round beauty.

Why Hydrangeas Make the Perfect Flower Arrangement

Hydrangeas are one of those flowers that can do it all. Their big, bold blooms instantly fill out a vase or centerpiece without needing dozens of stems. Whether you love classic white hydrangeas, romantic pinks, or dramatic deep blues, they always bring a touch of cottage charm.

Another reason I love them? Hydrangeas dry in place so well. If you’ve ever cut a bundle and left them in a container, you’ve probably noticed that instead of wilting and drooping, they slowly transform into soft, papery blossoms. This makes them perfect for creating a centerpiece you can keep on display for months—or even years.

I’ve had a bundle my mom gave me years ago sitting in a large metal planter in our living room. They’re still there, looking beautiful, even if I never move them (too many petals fall off when I do). That experience gave me confidence that this new hydrangea table arrangement will last, too.

Materials You’ll Need for a DIY Hydrangea Arrangement

You don’t need fancy supplies to create this hydrangea centerpiece. Here’s what I used:

• Fresh cut hydrangea blooms

• A long piece of thick styrofoam (mine came from packing materials)

• Tin snips

• A pen (to create holes)

• Chalk paint furniture brush & wax

One of my favorite parts of crafting is reusing items that would otherwise be thrown away. A few weeks ago, my husband walked in the backdoor with a random piece of styrofoam from packing materials his office was going to throw away. I asked, "what are you doing with that", and he replied, "oh no, it's all you". Well, it became the perfect base for this DIY hydrangea arrangement. Packing materials are gold around here!

Step-by-Step: How to Arrange Hydrangeas

Creating this hydrangea flower arrangement was simple once I had my supplies ready. Here’s what I did:

1. Prep the blooms.
   Take your hydrangeas outside and gently shake them to remove any little creatures. (Trust me, you don’t want an unexpected spider joining you inside—I learned this the hard way!)

2. Trim the stems.
   Cut each hydrangea stem about six inches from the flower head, cutting at an angle. This helps them insert more easily into the styrofoam.

3. Remove the leaves.
   At first, I was pulling off leaves one by one, but then I discovered a quicker trick: hold the top of the stem with one hand and run your other hand down in a fist. The leaves slide right off. Keep the larger leaves aside—we’ll use them later.

4. Create holes in the styrofoam.
   Use the writing end of a pen to poke angled holes into the styrofoam. Don’t skip this step—if you try to push the stems straight in, they’ll break (also something I learned).

5. Insert the flowers.
   Place each stem into the pre-made holes, filling in until you have a full, lush arrangement with no empty spots. If your styrofoam piece is too large, trim it down so your blooms cover it completely.

6. Wax the leaves.
   Brush wax over the leaves you saved earlier. Let them dry overnight, then flip and brush the backs. This helps preserve them and adds greenery to your arrangement.

Tips for Drying Hydrangeas in Place

The beauty of this hydrangea arrangement is that it will slowly dry in place. Instead of tossing out your flowers after a week, you’ll get to enjoy them for months to come, maybe even years!

Don't Forget to Pin for Later!

Here are a few tips to make sure your arrangement dries beautifully:

• Leave them alone. Once your blooms are in place, resist the urge to move them around. Hydrangeas drop petals easily once dry.

• Choose a cool, dry spot. Keep your arrangement away from direct sunlight or humidity. A dining room or entryway works perfectly.

• Expect change. The colors will fade as they dry, shifting to softer, antique-looking shades. Personally, I love this vintage look.

• Imperfect is beautiful. Some leaves may curl, and not every bloom will dry the same. Embrace the perfectly imperfect look—it feels more natural.

Decorating With a Hydrangea Table Arrangement

One of the reasons I adore hydrangeas is that they fit into any season. In the summer, they’re bright and fresh. Come fall, their dried look pairs beautifully with pumpkins and warm tones. During the holidays, you can tuck in evergreen clippings or berries.

Here are a few ideas for where to use your arrangement:

• Dining table centerpiece – keep it simple or dress it up with candles.

• Entryway table – a warm welcome for guests.

• Coffee table display – place in a tray with stacked books.

• Mantelpiece – mix with seasonal accents like pinecones or ribbon.

I added a few berry picks and my waxed leaves to mine for extra texture. It was an experiment—some leaves curled, others stayed smooth—but I’m keeping them all the same. Free greenery? Yes, please!

Perfectly Imperfect Flowers

This hydrangea arrangement was such a fun project to create during my mom’s visit. It reminded me that inspiration can come from the simplest things—a piece of packing material, a basket of blooms, or even a gift from a loved one.

While the waxed leaves weren’t perfect, I’m okay with that. Nature isn’t flawless, and I don’t expect my home to be, either. Perfectly imperfect feels right to me.

If you have hydrangeas in your yard—or a generous neighbor or family member who does—give this project a try. Not only will you have a stunning hydrangea flower arrangement to enjoy today, but you’ll also have a dried hydrangea centerpiece that lasts long after the season ends.

Ciao,

Cara