Hydrangeas are bright bursts of color that bring joy to everyday life. Their tiny clusters of blooms are perfect gracing tables and bouquets. They add beauty just with their delicate petals and fragrance.

The hydrangea plant is one of the oldest in the world. Four fossil seeds have been extracted from the Nowy Sacz Basin in Poland’s West Carpathian Mountains. Seeds were also found in the Jaw Mountains located on Alaska’s Aleutian peninsula. The flower’s name derives from the Greek – hydra meaning water and angeain – vessel. This roughly translates to water barrel, a reference to the plant’s need for plenty of water and it’s cup shaped flowers.

Surprisingly enough it is the soil that is responsible for giving hydrangeas their beautiful shades. The pH and acidity levels determine whether the petals are going to be blue, pink or purple. Blue hydrangeas need to be grown in soil in an acidic soil with a pH of 5.5 or lower while pink ones need a neutral or alkaline soil of 6.5 or higher. Purple hydrangeas must be grown in soil with pH levels between 5.5 to 6.5 pH. Funny enough white hydrangeas are not affected by a soil’s acidity level. Unlike the other colors, which can change as acid levels rise or fall, white ones will always maintain their creamy ivory shade.

As with colors, hydrangeas come in different types. Your Saddle Brook florist can assist you in sorting out what looks best in bouquets and formal arrangements. There are about eighty different types of hydrangeas but there are only six that are the most commonly used.The most popular is the Big Leaf, commonly used in bridal bouquets. They’re also call French hydrangeas or Mopheads, the last because they have a large abundance of closely situated petals. There is also the Smooth that has petals grown together in tight groups. For a truly unusual bloom select the Pannicle which has cone shaped clusters of tightly clustered petals. The most delicate looking hydrangea is the Oak Leaf , a triangular shaped bloom composed of tiny knots of petals. Hydrangeas can also climb walls like ivy. This sort is aptly named Climbing Hydrangea and are used mostly for garden trellises and decoration for home exteriors. For those who like delicate sprays there is the mountain hydrangea with blooms that resemble wild meadow flowers.It has larger florets surrounding clusters of smaller ones.

Hydrangeas are the perfect way to enhance a wedding bouquet or a pretty table centerpiece. Their blooms add bursts of color and charm to any gathering. They bring beauty and joy with their delicate petals and arresting fragrance.

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