Pressing hydrangeas can feel tricky at first, but once you see the soft petals preserved, it’s worth every bit of patience.

These flowers dry into layered, textured discs that can be arranged into frames, collages, or even kept whole as a single pressed bouquet.

With a bit of care, you’ll create art pieces that look like frozen memories of summer, perfect for wall displays or handmade gifts.

Materials Needed

• Fresh hydrangea heads (2-4, any color)
• Sharp scissors
• Large flower press or heavy books (at least 10” × 12”)
• Parchment paper or blotting sheets (20-30)
• Tweezers
• Optional: frames or blank cards for display

Step-by-step Guide

Step 1: Cut hydrangea blooms in the morning when petals are fresh but not damp with dew.

Step 2: Separate large heads into smaller clusters for easier pressing, trimming off thick stems.

Step 3: Place petals or clusters between blotting sheets, then press under heavy books or in a flower press for 2-3 weeks.

Step 4: Once dry, carefully remove with tweezers to avoid tearing the thin petals.

Step 5: Arrange pressed blooms into frames, scrapbook pages, or use them to decorate handmade cards and journals.

Tip:

Hydrangea colors shift as they dry, often softening into vintage hues of green, lavender, or faded blue.

Instead of seeing it as a flaw, treat it as part of their charm, it’s nature’s own antique filter.