How to care for hydrangeas according to The Botanist

Article by Homes to Love

Homes to Love caught up with florist Eden Kersten, aka The Botanist, to find out her top tips for hydrangeas. Browse our gallery of hot hydrangea ideas while you’re at it!

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Q&A with Eden Kersten, aka The Botanist

Eden, when are hydrangeas in season/available?
You will find them from December through to March.

What colours are they available in?
Whites, mauves, all shades of pinks and antique varieties which appear later in the season.

Should stems be trimmed or the leaves removed before putting them in a vase?
Yes, three quarters of the leaves should be removed and the stems cut on an angle.

How do we keep the cut flower looking its best?
Give them heaps of water and keep them out of direct sunlight. If the flower starts to look a little sad, dunk the heads in water for 30 mins as hydrangeas drink from their heads.

How long do they last in a vase?
They will last for 5-7 days. Antique hydrangeas can last for up to a couple of weeks though!

What other flowers do hydrangeas look good with?
Because they are such a large flower, try and keep them with other large blooms.

What’s a new way to display them that we might not have thought of?
Hydrangeas look their best en mass! Team it with some beautiful foliage and you can’t go wrong.

Is it true that hydrangeas grow as weeds in many places across New Zealand?
Yes! It’s thought of as an old fashioned flower but you will see it everywhere over New Zealand in the summer.

Any advice for going foraging for free hydrangeas?
They always appear on the side of the road! Make sure you don’t go picking from neighbours’ gardens as these flowers are the pride and joy of many keen gardeners’ front lawns.