Lush-yet-delicate hydrangeas can make a stunning bouquet for special occasions such as weddings. With a few simple tips, making hydrangea bouquets at home can be fairly easy. When creating hydrangea bouquets, perhaps the primary concern is wilting, and it is thus important to cut and condition the flowers properly, as well as to keep them hydrated. If using a florist, consult her ahead of time to ensure that the desired hydrangea shades will be available. Finally, while assembling a hydrangea bouquet, use double-sided tape to keep the bouquet’s ribbon “handle” in place, and consider attaching extra ribbon for a decorative effect.
When creating hydrangea bouquets, the area with the highest margin for error is usually wilting. Preventing a wilted bouquet begins with proper cutting of the hydrangeas. Whether purchasing hydrangeas from a florist or taking them from one’s garden, the flowers should ideally be cut the morning before the day of the event for which they are needed. In part, this is because flowers tend to be at their most hydrated in the morning.
The other reason that the hydrangeas should be cut the day before they are needed is to allow time for conditioning. Once the flowers have been cut, their blossoms should be soaked in water for approximately two hours to ensure that they are firm and hydrated. Then, the bottom of the flowers’ stems should be trimmed at a very sharp angle, providing them with a large surface area through which they can absorb water. Next, the hydrangeas should be placed, stems down, into a vase or bucket of water to which flower preservative has been added, where they should remain until the following day.
Even after a hydrangea bouquet has been created, hydration remains an important issue. If the bouquet shows signs of wilting, immersing its blossoms in water for approximately 15 minutes may restore its firmness. It is also advisable to rest the bouquet in a vase of water when it is not in use.
When making hydrangea bouquets for a special occasion, it is usually desirable to use flowers which match the color theme for that occasion. If using a florist, therefore, she should be consulted in advance to ensure that the desired hydrangea shades will be available. It may be helpful to bring along fabric swatches, a centerpiece, or some other item which can provide the florist with an exact visual of the desired color.
Physical assembly of hydrangea bouquets is usually quite straightforward, particularly since the large size of their blossoms usually means that only a few flowers are needed per bouquet. When the flowers have been gathered into the desired shape, it is helpful to encircle the top of the stems with double-sided foam tape. The ribbon which covers the stems, forming a “handle,” can then be attached starting at the double-sided tape, which will hold it in place. Finally, for a decorative effect, consider tying extra lengths of ribbon around the top of the stems, creating a bow or letting them dangle like streamers.