Think hydration and you can’t really go wrong. Hydrangeas grow in most soils, however their flower colour varies from pink to deep blue. Remove the dead heads in spring after the last frost. They can be propagated by stem cuttings taken in Autumn.
To care for your hydrangeas as a cut flower:
Place into water immediately after cutting,
Leave to have a long drink for 24 hrs if possible,
Recut the stem at an angle before arranging in a vase of fresh water,
Change the water every day and mist the flower heads occasionally.
In an arrangement they can be used at the base both as a fresh flower and as a dried flower head to provide support for the other flowers and foliage in the arrangement.
To dry hydrangea flower heads there are two ways one is to place them in a vase of shallow water and leave, the flowers dry out as the water evaporates, the other is to hang upside down in a dark well ventilated space. I have tried both methods each with some degree of success however it’s all in the timing. If the flower heads feel light and papery to the touch then is a good time to harvest for drying.
The flower’s meaning is thank you for understanding.