10 Unexpected Ways To Use Dried Hydrangeas

by Thistlewood

Looking for ways to use dried hydrangeas? Here are 10 clever ideas for decorating for free for the holidays with dried hydrangea petals.

10 unexpected ways to use dried hydrangeas thistlewood farm, A woven basket shaped like a house filled with dried hydrangea flowers sits on a wooden tray alongside large wooden beads

A woven basket shaped like a house, filled with dried hydrangea flowers, sits on a wooden tray alongside large wooden beads.

Remember when I told you that I had grown hydrangeas in Texas this year?

And now?

Those hydrangeas?

They are the gift that keeps on giving.

In spring and summer, they filled the corner of the garden with big, fragrant blooms.

And now?

For fall, dried, they look like pieces of art– each little petal like a sculpture.

If you have hydrangeas, it’s time to start drying.

There are a zillion different ways to dry hydrangeas. My best tip? Put them in a container and let them dry in place.

That’s it.

And now?

If you have hydrangeas? This is the post for you.

Here are 10 unexpected ways to use dried hydrangeas.

10 unexpected ways to use dried hydrangeas thistlewood farm, A display of dried brown flowers is pressed between two clear glass panels held upright by a wooden stand set on a light colored surface with a blurred background

A display of dried brown flowers is pressed between two clear glass panels, held upright by a wooden stand, set on a light-colored surface with a blurred background.

// clear glass modern wood frame //

1. Frame the petals

I made this artwork in a hot minute.

Literally.

I was hot, and it took me a minute.

When I was styling this arrangement, a few of the leaves fell off, and they looked like art to me, so I took them and framed them between two pieces of glass.

You can see the frame here.

10 unexpected ways to use dried hydrangeas thistlewood farm, A welcoming autumn front door adorned with festive decorations including dried corn stalks vibrant yellow mums a garland of fall leaves and a wreath adding a touch of the harvest season charm

A welcoming autumn front door adorned with festive decorations, including dried corn stalks, vibrant yellow mums, a garland of fall leaves, and a wreath adding a touch of the harvest season charm

2. Add hydrangeas to a garland

I still remember decorating this front door at the farmhouse.

It was fine.

It was sufficient.

But it needed something. Something to make it pop.

I had a basket of hydrangea on the front porch that I had been drying and inspiration struck. I just added them here and there to the existing fall garland that I already had.

It looked so high end and it was FREE.

10 unexpected ways to use dried hydrangeas thistlewood farm, A vibrant autumn wreath decorated with red flowers green leaves and hydrangeas hangs on a black door

A vibrant autumn wreath decorated with red flowers, green leaves, and hydrangeas hangs on a black door.

3. Add dried hydrangeas to an existing wreath

Here’s kind of the same concept as the garland.

Except this time it’s a wreath.

When you open up those fall tubs that you bring down from the attic and find a wreath that has seen better days?

No worries.

Fluff it and add dried hydrangeas to freshen it up for fall.

10 unexpected ways to use dried hydrangeas thistlewood farm, A cozy autumn inspired mantelpiece display featuring a hydrangea wreath decorative berries and themed ornaments with a classic clock sitting in front of an elegant white fireplace

A cozy autumn-inspired mantelpiece display featuring a hydrangea wreath, decorative berries, and themed ornaments, with a classic clock sitting in front of an elegant white fireplace.

4. Create a wreath from dried hydrangeas

Do you remember this DIY that I made all those years ago?

I’ve made it again and again and it’s such an easy project.

All you really need is a wreath form and dried hyrangeas.

You see the DIY here.

10 unexpected ways to use dried hydrangeas thistlewood farm, A dried brown hydrangea flower lies on a light textured surface The petals are wilted and curled giving the flower a delicate papery appearance

A dried brown hydrangea flower lies on a light, textured surface. The petals are wilted and curled, giving the flower a delicate, papery appearance.

5. Place cards

If you are planning a fall party, you could take a few of the petals and glue them to a place card.

Take a place card, fold it in half and write your guest’s name.

Then glue a petal to the corner of the place card.

You could also trace a letter onto a piece of folded piece of card stock.

Then glue the petals in place to form a floral monogram.

10 unexpected ways to use dried hydrangeas thistlewood farm, A framed piece of art featuring dried leaves arranged in the shape of a heart set against a plain brown background sits on a light colored table Wooden beads are partially visible to the right

A framed piece of art featuring dried leaves arranged in the shape of a heart, set against a plain brown background, sits on a light-colored table. Wooden beads are partially visible to the right.

// vintage 5″ x 7″ brass frame //

6. Frame a dried hydgangea heart

I never ever ever intended this to be a heart.

I was actually trying to press a hydrangea.

And it fell apart.

Yep.

It crumbled right before my eyes.

And when it crumbled, I could kind of see through the crumbles to a heart.

You could make anything with your hydrangea crumbles, even a monogram.

Close-up of a gold wire letter tray holding a brown notebook on a textured white surface. The notebook features a small black logo with text partially visible.

// vintage 5″ x 7″ brass frame //

This frame is kind of next level.

It’s also functions as a flower press, too.

It has levers in the back that you can twist against the back to flatten whatever you are pressing between the back of the frame and the glass.

You can see the frame here.

10 unexpected ways to use dried hydrangeas thistlewood farm, A woven basket shaped like a house with a small window holds dried brown hydrangeas It sits on a wooden tray next to a decorative strand of large wooden beads with a cream sofa in the background

A woven basket shaped like a house with a small window holds dried brown hydrangeas. It sits on a wooden tray next to a decorative strand of large wooden beads, with a cream sofa in the background.

7. Add hydrangeas to a basket

I’ve had this house basket for several years, but any basket will work.

The lid is tilted and I just filled the house with dried hydrangeas.

Pro tip: you want to add a base or even crumpled paper as a base to lift the hydrangeas up in the arrangement.

10 unexpected ways to use dried hydrangeas thistlewood farm, An elegant holiday swag featuring hydrangea blossoms pine cones and lush greenery interwoven with burlap and a silken blue ribbon embodying southern style decorating as it

An elegant holiday swag featuring hydrangea blossoms, pine cones, and lush greenery interwoven with burlap and a silken blue ribbon, embodying southern style decorating as it

8. Decorate a mantel

The best thing about adding dried hydrangeas to a mantel?

Dried hydrangeas come in so many different colors, so they can change the look of a mantel instantly.

Just don’t overthink any of these decorating ideas.

Half the time, I don’t even wire them in—I just twist them into the greenery and they stay in place because they are so light.

10 unexpected ways to use dried hydrangeas thistlewood farm, A close up of dried hydrangea flowers arranged in a woven basket surrounded by a garland of round wooden beads on a wooden tray

A close-up of dried hydrangea flowers arranged in a woven basket, surrounded by a garland of round wooden beads on a wooden tray.

9. Make hydrangea petal sachets

All those petals and no place to go.

Gather them up and add your favorite essential oil to the petals.

Then mix in lavender or even rosemary.

Add the mixture to a bag, and you have the perfect way to scent your home.

10 unexpected ways to use dried hydrangeas thistlewood farm, A richly decorated Christmas tree with a coastal theme featuring ornaments in tones of blue white and silver Pine cones and strands of light add ambiance next to a wooden panel and chair as they

A richly decorated Christmas tree with a coastal theme, featuring ornaments in tones of blue, white, and silver. Pine cones and strands of light add ambiance next to a wooden panel and chair as they

10. Add to a Christmas tree

And of course, I had to add a Christmas idea.

It will be here before we know it.

And what better way to deck the halls than with dried hydrangeas?

You can just tuck them into your tree for extra texture and rustic look.

A woven basket shaped like a house, filled with dried hydrangea flowers, sits on a wooden tray alongside large wooden beads.

Just look at these hydrangeas.

Aren’t they amazing?

It’s like the superhero of fall.

So many ideas and so little time.

I’ve got hydrangeas, how about you?

10 unexpected ways to use dried hydrangeas thistlewood farm, A small decorative red wooden barn with a white wreath perfect inspiration for creative ways to use dried hydrangeas features white painted accents and a tall white spindle chimney all set against a plain white background

A small, decorative red wooden barn with a white wreath—perfect inspiration for creative ways to use dried hydrangeas—features white painted accents and a tall white spindle chimney, all set against a plain white background.

// The Farmer’s Barn //

PS I just loaded the CUTEST Christmas barns into the shop.

And in fun news—I’ve been imagining the people that might have lived here and writing descriptions to bring them to life. I thought about printing up the stories on a card and sending them with the barns.

I thought you might enjoy them. 🙂

This is The Farmer’s Barn:

“Every farmer needs a barn.

Built from hand-hewn beams, the scent of woodsmoke still clinging to its grain, the quiet creak of a door that has swung open to morning light more times than anyone can count.

Picture the farmer—broad shoulders, calloused hands—stepping inside at dawn. Chickens scatter, a cow shifts in her stall, and the loft above sighs under the weight of last summer’s hay. He doesn’t linger; there’s no time for lingering. The barn is his rhythm. His ledger. His livelihood.

This miniature wooden barn is handcrafted in the same spirit: sturdy, timeless, unsentimental. A reminder that in every village, there is always one place where work begins before the sun, and ends only when the stars give permission.”

10 unexpected ways to use dried hydrangeas thistlewood farm, A small wooden model of a red barn with white trim black roof and a green holiday wreath with a red bow above the door set against a plain white background perfect inspiration when exploring ways to use dried hydrangeas in festive decor

A small wooden model of a red barn with white trim, black roof, and a green holiday wreath with a red bow above the door, set against a plain white background—perfect inspiration when exploring ways to use dried hydrangeas in festive decor.

// The Innkeeper’s Barn //

“Not the kind of barn that smells of hay and heavy labor. This one is smaller. Quieter. Built plank by plank from reclaimed wood and decorated for Christmas.

The inn sits proudly on the village green, a brass bell above the door. And just behind, this modest barn. Its beams house the carriages of weary travelers, the leather tack polished by lamplight, the tired horses snorting softly in their stalls. Inside, you imagine the innkeeper himself—coat sleeves rolled, candle flickering—storing barrels of cider for tomorrow’s guests.

A reminder that in every village there’s always one place where the stories rest when the travelers do.”

10 unexpected ways to use dried hydrangeas thistlewood farm, A small decorative wooden barn painted white and red with black windows and a wreath with a red bow above the barn door set against a plain white background perfect for displaying creative ways to use dried hydrangeas in your d cor

A small decorative wooden barn painted white and red, with black windows and a wreath with a red bow above the barn door, set against a plain white background—perfect for displaying creative ways to use dried hydrangeas in your décor.

// The Beekeeper’s Christmas Barn //

“It is not large. It doesn’t need to be. A modest wooden structure set just beyond the wildflower field, its beams hum softly in the summer sun. Step inside and the air is sweet—clover, honey, wax, the faint warmth of bees drifting in and out as if they, too, have keys to the place.

Here, the beekeeper keeps his world: skeps stacked neatly against the wall, jars lined up full of honey. His jacket and veil drape casually over a wooden peg, waiting for tomorrow’s inspection.

This handcrafted barn understands the importance of waiting for the honey. Quietly. Patiently. Like the bees themselves.”

10 unexpected ways to use dried hydrangeas thistlewood farm, Collage showing floral patterned home decor three women in pink sitting at a table a hand holding a book with floral cover art and a smiling woman displaying Ways To Use Dried Hydrangeas with a leafy wreath and fabric featuring blue floral prints

Collage showing floral-patterned home decor, three women in pink sitting at a table, a hand holding a book with floral cover art, and a smiling woman displaying Ways To Use Dried Hydrangeas with a leafy wreath and fabric featuring blue floral prints.

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I only shared three of these barns. If they sell out (which they have been selling so quickly) just know I have an entire drop of them coming tomorrow.

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