What should I know about hydrangeas?
The Short Answer
Hydrangeas deliver enormous, cloud-like blooms that fill an arrangement fast, making them a favorite for weddings and generous everyday designs. They drink through their petals as much as their stems, so keeping them hydrated is the whole secret to their care.
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Big, soft, and impossibly full
A single hydrangea head is made of dozens of tiny florets clustered into one huge dome, which is why a few stems can fill a vase or a centerpiece so quickly. That fullness is exactly why designers love them and why they are such a value for events. Hydrangeas carry an old-fashioned, romantic feeling that suits both a country garden wedding and a polished formal table. In Michigan they are also a beloved backyard shrub, so many of our customers already feel a personal fondness for them before they ever order a bouquet.
Colors and varieties
Florist hydrangeas come in soft blue, lavender, pink, green, white, and antique tones that shift with the season. A fun bit of garden science: in the ground, the soil pH changes the color, with acidic soil producing blue blooms and alkaline soil producing pink. Michigan's often slightly acidic soils lean many backyard hydrangeas toward blue and purple. For cut work, the mophead types give that classic round cloud, while the cone-shaped panicle hydrangeas, common in local yards by late summer, dry beautifully. Our designers often pair a single blue hydrangea with roses and greenery for an arrangement that looks twice its price.
The care that makes or breaks them
Hydrangeas are notorious for wilting, but it is almost always a hydration issue you can fix. They absorb water through their petals, not just their woody stems. When you first get them, recut the stem, and if a head starts to flag, submerge the entire bloom head in cool water for twenty to thirty minutes to rehydrate it. Some florists also dip the freshly cut stem tip in alum powder or boiling water for a few seconds to help the woody stem take up water. Keep them well watered daily, as they drink more than most flowers, and keep them out of hot, dry air.
When to choose hydrangeas
Hydrangeas shine anywhere you want lush volume without a huge budget. They are a wedding workhorse in centerpieces that typically run $75 to $250 and in bridal bouquets from $150 to $350. In everyday arrangements they add instant fullness in the $45 to $125 range. They are best from late spring through fall, and locally grown Michigan hydrangeas peak in mid to late summer. They also dry well, so a summer bouquet can become a lasting keepsake. Just remember they are thirsty, so they are happier in a vase than pinned to a lapel for hours.
Planning Tips From Our Designers
- Submerge a wilting hydrangea head in cool water to revive it.
- Remember hydrangeas drink through their petals, not just stems.
- Recut the woody stem and refill water daily.
- Panicle hydrangeas from local yards dry beautifully.
- Pair one hydrangea with roses to fill an arrangement affordably.
- Choose them from late spring through fall for the best value.
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