focal · moderate · mid
Hydrangea
Hydrangea macrophylla · aka hortensia
One hydrangea head can carry a bouquet single-handedly — up to 20 cm of coverage per stem. Growers now offer 'antique' hydrangeas where the natural late-summer colour shift (blue → pink → green → burgundy) is preserved, creating a browsed, painterly effect that dominates editorial floristry. Fragile once cut — plan the timeline carefully.
At a glance
| Family | Hydrangeaceae |
|---|---|
| Origin | East Asia, Americas; commercially grown Netherlands, Colombia |
| Peak season | June, July, August, September |
| Availability | all year (imported) |
| Stem length | 40–70 cm |
| Vase life | 4–10 days |
| Colors | white, blush, pink, blue, purple, green, burgundy |
| Price tier | mid |
Conditioning
Cut stems on a sharp diagonal. Split the stem end 2 cm with a knife (never a hammer). Submerge the entire head in cool water for 30 minutes if wilted — hydrangeas rehydrate through the flowerhead as well as the stem.
Care in the vase
- •Wilt fast without water — always keep in water
- •If wilted, the head can be revived by submerging in cool water for 30 min
- •Autumn 'antique' hydrangeas (browned/pinked heads) are the premium tier
- •One stem = up to 20 cm of coverage — high value per stem
