The Essential Guide To The Hydrangea
Botanical Name: Hydrangea macrophylla and other species like H. paniculata and H. arborescens.
Common Name: Hydrangea
General Knowledge: The Hydrangea, with its lush, large heads of flowers, is native to East Asia and the Americas, where it thrives in cooler climates with rich, moist soil. In Australia, hydrangeas are widely used for their showy blooms in garden landscaping and as cut flowers in arrangements, bringing a classic and voluminous look to floral designs. A fun fact about hydrangeas is that the colour of their flowers can dramatically change from pink to blue based on the pH level of the soil they are grown in, due to the presence of aluminium ions that become more available in acidic conditions.
Colour Range:
H. macrophylla: White (which ages to green), red, pale to deep pinks, pale to dark blues, mauve purple.
H. paniculata: White, maturing to pink and eventually green.
H. arborescens: White green.
Australian Seasonal Availability: Summer to early autumn.
Australian Wedding and Event Season Availability: Most suitable for events in the summertime until early autumn.
Commercially grown in Australia: Hydrangeas are reliable and easy to grow in Australia.
Buying Tips: The vibrant portion of the flower is a bract; the actual flowers are the tiny florets in the centre. For the longest vase life, ensure that 75% or more of these florets are open when picked and that the overall flower head is firm to the touch.
Design Tips and Advice: Hydrangeas serve as both focal and supporting focal flowers. When placed in a large vase, they can stand alone or complement other summer blooms. Non-flowering stems of H. macrophylla, up to 90 cm long, can be picked from early to late autumn and utilized in grand floral displays, having a vase life of 7–10 days.
Flower Maturity: Picking mature flowers and conditioning them well extends their vase life.
Expected Vase Life: 7–15 days, especially if the flowers are mature when picked and conditioned properly.
Typical Stem Length: Mainly 50–60 cm, extending up to 100 cm. Shorter bunches with smaller flower heads might be available at the start or end of the season.
Typical Bunch Size: Contains 5 stems.
Floral Preservatives: Dessicant silica gel floral preservative is recommended.
Ethylene Sensitivity: Moderate sensitivity. Prolonged exposure can lead to floret shattering.
Temperature Requirements: Best stored between 2–4 °C.
Potential Problems: To avoid dehydration, they should be picked during the coolest parts of the day. If left out of water even briefly, stems should be promptly recut and placed in a preservative solution. Overhydration can cause oedema. It's essential not to bash, scald, or harm the stems to avoid bacterial growth and internal ethylene damage, which can reduce vase life.
Cooling and Cool Rooms: Briefly store at 2–4 °C.
Hydration and Vase Solutions: When received, it's crucial to recut stems and immerse them in a preservative solution. Regular hydration is vital, and consumers are advised to check water levels daily, recut stems every other day, and use a fresh solution.
Care of Ethylene Sensitive Products: As hydrangeas are moderately ethylene sensitive, ensure from suppliers that the flowers have been treated post-harvest.