DIY Limelight Hydrangea Topiary Planter (No Vase Required)

Large hydrangea treem black stained garage, teak table with hydrangea topiaries.

We are at that time in early September when Limelight blooms start changing color, and the petals turn a little papery. It’s the perfect time to dry your hydrangeas!

How to dry Limelight hydrangeas

Hydrangeas in glass jar on porch with rattan chair.

Hydrangeas in glass jar on teak bench on pea gravel patio.

It’s really as simple as cutting the hydrangeas once they have started to dry and are turning a little pink. I dunk them in water to remove any bugs. Simply get a bucket with clean water, dunk the entire bloom, then, holding the stem close to the bloom, shake it gently to remove excess water. Place them in a container and allow them to continue to dry out.

Some people bring them in right away to use as arrangements; others suggest storing them in a cool, dark place to let them continue drying.

The pruner I use is this one from Terrain. It works beautifully on the woody stem to make a clean diagonal cut.

Womans hands stipping leaves into paper bag.

Woman with brown hair dipping hydrangea into bucket of water.

What you will need to make Limelight hydrangea topiaries

Hydrangea topiaries in Bergs pottery on potting bench.

Hydrangea topiaries in Bergs pottery on teak table with teak chairs.

Hydrangeas cut as long as possible.
Terracotta pots
Potting soil
Small stones or preserved moss
Extra hydrangea stems with leaves removed to use as stakes (as needed)

Simple steps to making your Limelight topiaries

Preaparing pots for amking hydrangea topiaires.

Clean your pots, then pop a flat stone into the drainage hole at the bottom of each pot.
Fill with potting soil and pack down. Add water, a little more soil, and pack down again.
Remove the leaves from your hydrangea stems. (This is so easy; just start at the top, holding the branch securely with one hand, and run your hand down the stem, taking off all the leaves as you go.
Stick it into your prepared pot and adjust as needed. Add another hydrangea stem to stake it as needed. Secure with a little twine.
Cover the soil with preserved moss or small stones.

Using them in a tablescape

Tablescape with a mix of dishes glassware and hydrangea topiaries oin a crwel stitch tablecloth.

One of the many reasons I love having hydrangeas is that they provide an endless supply of free flowers from July until late November. The colors will vary, but there’s always a way to use them. Here I used them on a table with Botanical Silhouette Side Plates and mugs on a crewel stitch tablecloth. The Bee glassware is by La Rochere in the color eggplant. The Acacia wood chargers are from Pottery Barn, and the vintage flatware is from my shop!