Question
My boyfriend has been sending me hydrangea arrangements.  I love hydrangeas, but the problem I'm having with them as an arrangement is that they are dying too quickly on me.  I just got them yesterday and I woke up this morning to find them wilting.
Is there anything I can do to better prepare them?

Thanks,
Adrienne

Answer
It could be the hydrangea blooms are being harvested a little too late, and there's not too much you can do about that besides take advantage and use the dried blossoms in decorations.

Sometimes flowers with wooden stems like hydrangeas need to have the stems tapped at the bottom with a hammer to soften them a little.  This will help them absorb more water.  And if you're receiving the hydrangeas wrapped, not already in water, make sure to cut 2 inches off the stems before putting them in water.  Same sort of idea as a Christmas Tree - without a fresh cut, the ends dry and seal and prevent the stem from taking in water.