Sarah Raven's Kitchen and Garden

I’ve been preserving hydrangeas in glycerin today – one part glycerin (from any chemist) to 3 parts water into a jam jar, with the stems of the hydrangea into the mixed solution. Then just shove them somewhere out of the way and leave them for about a month. The flowers should then keep their colour for 6  months and a soft pliable texture for ever. It’s well worth doing so you can use your garden hydrangeas in wreaths and arrangements over Christmas.