Greenhouse Christmas Tree Adorned in Dried Hydrangeas

For several years I’ve been decorating my greenhouse with a Christmas Tree for the winter holidays. However, I have never had anything but the twinkle of lights on it.

I love the look of a tree in this special little space. I look out the window of my kitchen and see the glowing tree, it fills my heart with all the wonder of the season. 

A Christmas tree decorated with warm yellow lights and dried hydrangeas stands inside a greenhouse. The tree is on a white skirt, and vintage garden tools and birdhouses are nearby, creating a rustic atmosphere.

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What Kind of Tree?

While I could put a real tree in the greenhouse and it would last for months in this cooler space, I opt for a faux Christmas tree.  The one I have been using for several years has not been working well and it was a cheap, not very real-looking tree.

King of Christmas gifted me a flocked 6′ Prince Flock® Artificial Christmas Tree with 350 Warm White LED Lights. 

The flocking gives it the natural feel that I like, especially for a tree in my greenhouse. It’s full and the perfect height for my She Shed.

A close-up of a Christmas tree decorated with frosted evergreen branches adorned with dried hydrangeas and pampas grass. The earthy tones of the flowers contrast with the snowy texture of the branches, creating a rustic, wintry effect.

Using Hydrangeas for Tree Decor

My hydrangeas did beautifully this year so cutting the flowers and drying them to use on the tree seemed like the perfect way to honor my greenhouse and my gardens.

The natural element of the dried hydrangea blooms is a perfect way to make this tree not only festive but authentic to the outdoors. 

The flowers I used are a mix of browns, beiges, cranberry, and pink. They complement not only the greenhouse’s aesthetic but also work seamlessly with what I have going on in my home decor this year. 

A white pitcher holds a bouquet of dried hydrangeas in shades of green, pink, and brown on a wooden table. Two ceramic pumpkins sit beside it. A lamp with a white shade is in the background, echoing a Christmas tree decorated with delicate hydrangeas.

Preserving Hydrangeas

I have several different ways that have worked for me. The most important trick is to use flowers that are in full bloom and starting to turn colors. The petals should have a papery feel. 

For me, in Illinois, the time to cut my hydrangeas is late September and Early October. I have also found that the pinnacle variety is the best for drying.

  • Water Drying: Add a few inches of water to a vase and place your stems in the water. Don’t put too many blooms in the vase as you want air to be able to circulate around the flowers.
  • No Water Drying in A Vase: This is the same as water drying but without water. I used this recently for my late September blooms and they are beautiful
  • Air-Drying: This method is for drying hydrangeas upside down in a cool dry area. This method does the best job of keeping the flowers in their original shape. I made a clothesline-type system with string at the ceiling line of my laundry room. Then I hung each bloom by a string and used clothes pins to secure them to the line. 
  • Silica or White Sand: This is a method that uses a compound that you can find at your craft store. Place the heads of your bloom into a plastic bag or container in which you can cover them completely. After a few days, you can take them out. Shake off any remaining silica or sand. I have never tried this method. I have had success with other drying methods that are quite frankly easier and less of a mess. 
A beautifully lit Christmas tree adorned with white and golden decorations, accented by delicate hydrangeas, stands in the corner of a cozy, dimly lit greenhouse. Surrounding it are rustic tables, chairs, and gardening tools, creating a warm and festive atmosphere.

Decorating with Hydrangeas

I just placed my dried blooms into the branches of the tree. Making sure that the blooms were uniformly placed around the tree. I also made sure that the size of the blooms was dispersed evenly as well as the colors. 

Then I added some beautiful reed grass to give the tree more dimension. Creating a bouquet of grasses for a tree topper was the perfect finishing touch. 

A hand holding a bunch of dried wheat stalks, tied together with twine, evokes a rustic charm reminiscent of Christmas tree decorations. The blurred background with green grass and trees against a blue sky mirrors the tranquility found in hydrangea-adorned holiday settings.

More Greenhouse Christmas Tree Ideas

Keeping this tree simple was my goal but if this had been in my home I would have added more natural elements.

  • Pine Cones
  • Berries
  • Bird Nests
  • Feathers
  • Wood Ornaments
  • Dried Oranges

Once you have your tree decorated with all of your nature-inspired baubles, then you could add some velvet ribbons for some elegant texture. This tree also will blend seamlessly with the Christmas decor I have planned for inside our home this year. 

King of Christmas Trees

I have been partnering with King of Christmas for the last few years. The tree that I have in my office is their 7.5′ Yorkshire Fir Slim Artificial Christmas Tree with 500 Warm White LED Lights This tree is my chinoiserie Christmas tree in my blue and white French Country office

The tree I put in my dining room last year is the 7′ King Noble Flock Artificial Christmas Tree with 500 Warm White LED Lights This tree looks like what my family fondly refers to as a “Charlie Brown” tree

Conclusion

Having a tree that is decorated with natural elements is not only the perfect statement for a greenhouse, but it’s also an eco-friendly option for those who appreciate tree decorations that are not harmful to our environment. 

Using dried flowers is such a fun and creative way to add naturally beautiful detail to your home. I had so much fun with this tree. It will be a great addition to our greenhouse from fall, through the holidays and into the New Year winter months!

Peace and Love,

Other Great Christmas Ideas

My friend Anna from Sky Lark House has also decorated her King of Christmas Tree with natural decorations. Her tree however is inside and very elegant.

A beautifully decorated Christmas tree with natural, DIY ornaments, including pine cones and snow-covered branches. The scene is warm and festive, featuring a softly lit room with a glimpse of a snowy window.

Cindy from Reinvented Delaware has decorated her She-Shed for Christmas. When you head to her blog read about how she and her husband built the shed this past summer.

Rustic wooden shed adorned with a wreath on the weathered door. A small potted Christmas tree and lantern sit beside the entrance. The shed is decorated with garland, and a wire basket with pine cones hangs on the wall. Brick pathway in the foreground.

Meet Me

My name is Lynn. I live in the suburbs of Chicago in a 1,300 sq. ft. home with my Handy husband, Keith.

I’m an open book about my life on my blog. You can find out more about me by visiting my About page.

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A Christmas tree decorated with hydrangeas is beautifully displayed in a greenhouse setting. The image promotes a new blog post about festive greenhouse decor.
A cozy holiday scene with a decorated Christmas tree on the left, adorned with lights and ornaments. On the right are rustic wooden candleholders with white candles, pine branches, and festive decorations. Text overlay reads, "WHAT'S IN MY CART THIS WEEK AT LIVING LARGE IN A SMALL HOUSE.

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4 Comments

  1. Hi Lynn! I just love the idea of having a greenhouse and decorating it for Christmas. The idea of twinkling lights in a glass house is beautiful, warm and inviting. I love that you used reed grass to decorate your tree – in addition to hydrangeas. What a great idea!! Thank you for sharing the link to my easy, natural, diy decorations for a Christmas tree. Wishing you a lovely weekend.

    1. I love my little greenhouse. When I’m not using it for its intended purpose it’s so fun to decorate. I’ll be adding more to the space soon!

  2. Michelle | Thistle Key Lane says:

    Lynn, your tree decorated with hydrangeas is absolutely beautiful. I love how it looks in your charming greenhouse and can envision it in so many settings. Thanks for inspiration!

    1. Thank you Michelle – I can’t believe I already have a Christmas tree up but now it’ got me in the spirit to start with the 5 I put up in the house!