Care Tips:
There’s nothing like hydrangeas to create a dramatic centerpiece or feminine bouquet in shades of white, cream, blushing pinks, raspberry, violet, lavender, periwinkle, or cobalt blue. These large beautiful blooms are reliable and long lasting. With a few simple care tips, they should stay full and fresh for one to two weeks.
Hydrangeas are the only cut flowers that drink through their blooms
Once home follow a few simple care tips to extend the life of your blooms. Keep in mind that hydrangeas are thirsty flowers so be sure to give them plenty of fresh water and check the vase daily:
- When you get home, stand the wrapped flowers in water so they can get a good drink while you’re getting the vase ready.
- Fill a vase with cold water and add some ice cubes.
- Add a packet of flower food to extend bloom life. If you don’t have flower food, dissolve half a teaspoon of sugar, a teaspoon of lemon juice, and a few drops of bleach in 4 cups of water to create a home-made substitute.
- Hydrangeas have woody stems that need to be cut to help the flowers uptake water. Slant cut the stems to the desired length, cutting at least ½” from the bottom. Be sure to keep stems under the water when cutting and avoid crushing them, as damaged portions won’t absorb water well.
- Remove any leaves that will be submerged as these will rot over time.
- Arrange stems to your liking, varying the height and position. Add other flowers to the arrangement once all the hydrangeas are positioned.
- Hydrangeas drink lots of water each day, so be sure to keep the vase full and check the water daily. Mist the flowers to keep the blooms fresh and hydrated.
- Change the water if it starts looking cloudy, rinse the stems clean. Be sure to re-cut the stems before returning them to the vase.
- Continue to remove spent leaves to keep the bouquet looking fresh longer.
About Hydrangeas:
Green hydrangeas can replace foliage for softness and texture.
There’s nothing shy about hydrangeas! These enormous pom-poms crowded with lacy star-shaped blooms epitomize lavish beauty and femininity. They fill any vase with mounds of vibrant color and have long sturdy stems that create towering displays. Prized more for their blooms hydrangeas don’t have any fragrance, although some do have a very light, subtle scent.
In the language of flowers, hydrangeas symbolize friendship, devotion, perseverance, and understanding. Their calming blue shades have also come to mean peace and tranquility. Not surprisingly, these opulent blooms were thought to convey pride and vanity in the conservative Victorian era. Regardless of their meaning, these flowers are sure to start a conversation!
Hydrangeas originally grew wild in marshes and wetlands in Northern Asia and the Americas. Their name combines the Greek words “hydor” meaning water and “angeion” meaning vessel, inspired both by their affinity for water and their seed pods that resemble miniature water jugs.
The large colorful blooms in violets, deep blues, and rich rose available today in supermarkets and florists are primarily grown in France and Holland. Demure shades of cream, parchment, and antique shades of light blues and dusty pinks come from South America.
After your bouquet has faded, hydrangeas are easily dried by hanging upside down for a few weeks. The dried blooms make a nice accent in a fall centerpiece.
Inspiration:
Blue hydrangeas are a calming antidote to anxiousness.
A handful of tightly packed hydrangea stems brightens any room and adds instant drama to special events. Shorter containers really showcase their huge blooms, but these versatile flowers look great in any vase available. Place the tallest flowers in the center with shorter flowers towards the outside edges.
Spectacular on their own, hydrangeas also combine with other flowers to create contrasting colors and textures. Try adding branches for height, airy foliage to soften to the edges, or scented flowers such as lilies, roses, or lilacs to add fragrance. From simple arrangements and stylish silhouettes to opulent arrangements for special occasions, hydrangeas are an inspiring choice:
Weddings:
Hydrangeas add volume and height to arrangements and fullness and meaning to bouquets. For a glamorous centerpiece, pair hydrangeas with towering lunaria in a tall glass vase so the stems are visible. For a simple bouquet, wrap stems of hydrangeas and roses with coordinating ribbon.
Modern:
Blue hydrangeas pair with white roses, white calla lilies, and green orchids.
For a minimalist display with high impact, wrap a vase with large green leaves, and tightly arrange hydrangea stems in your favorite hues.
Cheerful:
Mix contrasting colors in pastel hues to create a display that brightens any setting. Try pairing blue hydrangeas with yellow roses and peach carnations.
Classic:
A monochromatic arrangement of roses and hydrangeas with lilacs spilling over the edges is both graceful and fragrant. Choose chalky hues of cream, blush, or violet flowers.
Casual:
Combine cool white tulips and dahlias with blue hydrangeas for a fresh relaxed arrangement.