Hydrangeas are super versatile flowers. Whether dry or fresh, oak leaf or pee gee, bush or tree -- and no matter the color -- they've achieved unbelievably ubiquitous home decor status. I'm a HUGE hydrangea fan, growing 30-plus hydrangea bushes in our yard for the last 20 years. And I still can't get enough of them.

Today I'm sharing some easy and inexpensive ways to decorate with dried hydrangeas. Perfect for fall, perfect for any time of year.

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  Faux Ceramic Candle Holder Using Saltwash 

 I love decorating with cloches as much as I love hydrangeas. So I thought: why not put them together? First I chose the vessel: a medium sized glass cloche.

It sits on a base that I transformed with saltwash -- from a ho-hum Target plant stand to a high-end looking faux cement riser. Over the years it's housed candles, pine cones, baby boo pumpkins, Christmas ornaments -- you name it.   

 

Then I chose which specific hydrangea type to decorate with for fall. Since my favorite hydrangea type for quintessential "fall" decor is our Hydrangea Paniculata (Hydrangea paniculata 'Grandiflora') -- or Pee Gee Hydrangeas -- it was an easy decision. Each bloom grows into a panicle (or canonical, pyramidal) shape and throughout its life changes colors. 

 

COLORS OF PANICLE HYDRANGEA BY SEASON  

Midsummer: Creamy White/Ivory

Summer's End: Soft Pink, Blush/Dusty Rose

Late Fall: Burgundy/Purplish-Red

Nearly Winter: Tan/Wheat Gold/Brown  

From midsummer through summer's end the various colors can be present all at once, creating a beautiful and colorful tapestry.  I personally have also experienced a light green color, which I love, in addition to the listed colors.    

 The colors are more than perfect for fall decor displays.

Wrapping a raw edged velvet ribbon on top of the cloche added texture, as did the faux cement base.

You might think it's easy to overload a cloche with seasonal items, but when I first did it long ago (with pumpkins) I realized that there must be a a trick to it. And there is. While it's super simple to do, I thought I'd share my revelation.

HOW TO FILL A CLOCHE WITH DRIED HYDRANGEAS

Step 1. Hold your cloche upside down with one hand. (If your cloche is large you can sit down and place the cloche upside down in your lap for stability.) 

Step 2. Carefully place your pieces of dried hydrangeas into the cloche, arranging them one by one until it's filled.

Step 3. Place the base of the cloche (whatever that may be) on top of the cloche opening.

Step 4. Carefully flip the cloche and base over. 

Another easy way to display dried hydrangeas is to fill a large, pretty bowl with them and use it as a centerpiece, or maybe even place it on the table in your foyer. 

This large white lettuce ware bowl was a perfect vessel for the dried floral display.

Isn't it gorgeous? I got it at a thrift store for $8.00.

  

Years ago I filled this thrifted French wall basket with dried oak leaf hydrangeas from the yard and hung it on a farmhouse ladder. 

 

 

TIP: Stuff the majority of the large basket with either crumbled newspaper or plastic shopping bags. Then just fill the top section of the basket with your dried hydrangeas. 

 

I combined these dried late fall/early winter Hydrangea Paniculata with faux florals in a wicker vase with a handle. try for affiliate link again

 

 

 

This thrifted French umbrella basket filled with limelight and oak leaf dried hydrangeas were the perfect addition to my French farmhouse living room decor. 

 

Gathering baskets are also a lovely way to display dried hydrangeas. You can pick the flowers, place them in the basket and then let them dry in place. 

After putting this piece together I realized that my go-to vessels for dried hydrangeas are baskets of all shapes and sizes! The cloche and the white lettuce ware bowl are nice variations on that theme.

I could also see them displayed in lanterns, terrariums, cache pots . . . . what would you display them in? 

 

Well, that's it for today, friends!

I hope you enjoyed reading about my 

Dried Hydrangea Cloche Plus 

Extra Hydrangea Ideas

and that I've inspired you in some way.

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