The bathroom has taken on the air of Miss Havisham's en-suite.
I am having a go at preserving some of my mother's beautiful hydrangea heads. Sarah Raven reccomends conditioning the heads (which are really bracts, rather than flowers) by placing the stems in boiling water for 30 seconds and then laying them in a bath of cool water overnight.
The next day, I shook them off and they are now standing in a solution of 1 part glycerin to 2 parts hot water. Once they have sucked it all up, they should remain soft and retain their colour. This might take as long as a month, but if it does, my heads ought to be ready to make into a Christmas wreath. Forward planning, people (she says, ducking...).
Wow - who knew you could do that?
I wish I had known. My brother (and now sister)-in-law had hydrangeas at their wedding last month and it would have been lovely to preserve some for them...
Posted by: mooncalf | 27 October 2010 at 14:57
Now that is organisation if I've ever seen any! Didn't even know you could do that, very interesting!
Posted by: Petit Filoux | 27 October 2010 at 15:28
I am forwarding this post on to my friend who has a front garden full of these beauties and of which we were only discussing yesterday!
(I'm going to whisper that I have had my SR book out to... shhh...)
Posted by: Dragonfly | 27 October 2010 at 16:04
What a beautiful wreath - I can't wait to see your version.
I'm already in a Christmas-y mood. I think that I've finally found a way of coping with California's lack of an Autumn: start thinking of Christmas early. Now if I could just persuade Scrooge, I mean, my husband, to let me start putting up the decorations...
Posted by: UK lass in US | 27 October 2010 at 18:29
Gorgeous - and destined to be even more so.
There's no point in fighting it - festive preparations are well underway here too!
Posted by: dottycookie | 27 October 2010 at 18:42
Ooh, that is a clever plan. Festive planning going on here too. In fact I'm feeling a little smug because so many of the presents have been bought already. See that little halo?
Posted by: Amaranthine | 27 October 2010 at 20:04
No need to duck. I'm actually looking forward to all the preparations, crafty or otherwise. As for the wreath, I'd admire your patience - it looks beautitful.
Posted by: lina | 27 October 2010 at 21:52
I'm sure you'll be able to make a lovely garland!
I must try this next year...
Posted by: Concha | 27 October 2010 at 21:56
I never knew you could do that with hydrangeas. They are going to look lovely. Hope to see the wreath once it's done.
Posted by: Amanda | 27 October 2010 at 21:59
How clever. I always wondered how florists kept them fresh for so long. They will make a beautiful wreath.
Posted by: Tracy | 27 October 2010 at 22:08
Your top photo looks very Pre-Raphelite! It sounds a great idea and I look forward to your Christmas pictures! The wreath is fantstic.
Posted by: Louise | 27 October 2010 at 22:22
Oh, I'm the same as you... I have Sarah Raven's Christmas book and have spent the past few weeks organising my forced flowers for Christmas. I love this time of year. I love having a celebration to plan. I can't wait to see your wreath.
Posted by: little pink room | 27 October 2010 at 23:02
Oh.
Well.
That would explain why mine have gone all crispy then.
Posted by: jackie | 27 October 2010 at 23:15
What a clever idea! Please post the wreath when you make it. :)
Posted by: Katherine | 28 October 2010 at 05:29
You are far too organized! I remember Martha had an interesting article about preserving flowers in glycerin a little while back...
K x
Posted by: kristina | 28 October 2010 at 10:22
Oh Ali, that is organisation on an insufferable level...but I like it & the flowers in the bath is a beautiful thing indeed! I didn't know that you could preserve flowers so that the petals remained soft - so much nicer than the crispy look. X
Posted by: Florence | 28 October 2010 at 16:22
wow, that's lovely. You are so lucky to have access to the hydrangeas like that. Beautiful.
Posted by: urban craft | 28 October 2010 at 18:58
Move over Martha Stewart... your days are counted...
Posted by: Monica | 28 October 2010 at 19:48
I always seem to have a hit and miss approach with dried hydrangeas - but then again I do tend to just leave them to dry out naturally so I guess that is where I'm going wrong.
Have a wonderful day and weekend,
Nina x
Posted by: nina - tabiboo | 29 October 2010 at 09:10
Oh, good to know! I just always dry mine (using the Martha Stewart method) which works in a way, but they're rather crunchy and fragile. Must try your method next year!
Blessings,
G
Posted by: Firefly | 30 October 2010 at 16:53
The wreath is absolutely stunning - how I wish I'd seen this before my hydrangea was had by the frost or I'd be doing a total copycat! I plan every year to cut and dry the heads and then miss the window of opportunity. Thanks for the tips about preserving the hydrangeas too, ready for next year at least.
Looking forward to seeing photos of the finished article, it's going to be gorgeous!
Posted by: Helen | 24 November 2010 at 11:39