In today’s #flowerpower feature, we’re celebrating the heavenly hydrangea. Hydrangeas are a fluffy, friendly bloom perfect for creating an antique, garden feel for any event. They are quite large and are often used as stand-alone flowers but can be paired and accentuated with almost any other bloom. Hydrangeas and their petals are available in a wide variety of natural colors as well as tinted and sprayed options and the full blooms can be ordered in jumbo, standard or mini versions. Making these multi-flowered beauties a fabulous choice for your special day!

Each month we’re featuring a specific, popular wedding flower, sharing important tips and information that all DIY brides will find valuable if incorporating said blooms into their events. Whether you’re arranging your own bridal shower flowers or creating your own wedding bouquets, I hope you enjoy the tips and information below.

Fifty Flowers

For those who might not know, FiftyFlowers is an online flower wholesaler who ships gorgeous flowers to your doorstep, straight from their partner farms. Their customer service is outstanding and I know that you’ll have an extraordinary experience with them, no matter if you’re ordering flowers for your entire wedding or just a few bunches for your bridal shower. You can shop their website just like you would a flower mart, even scheduling your delivery time with just a few clicks – it’s awesome. I absolutely love that at any time, no matter what shoot or event I need flowers for, I can visit their site, shop and the flowers magically arrive at my door. Basically, they are the Nordstrom of online flower sales!

Flower Availability:

I’m excited to share that Hydrangea flowers and petals are available year round!

In this post, I’m featuring the Hydrangea Bicolor Ivory with Hint of Blue Flower, the Hydrangea Ivory White Flower, and the Hydrangea Dark Blue Flower, aren’t they soooo pretty!?! A gorgeous idea for your something blue!

Farm To Vase Prep:

These bulk Hydrangeas are shipped directly from FiftyFlowers.com partner farms. Before shipping your flowers, they prepare them for their journey with proper hydration methods. If your flowers appear sleepy and thirsty after their journey, it is absolutely NORMAL. Just follow these simple steps and the flowers will bloom delightfully!

Recommended Delivery Date: 2 days before your event.

Rehydration Steps:

• Open the box of flowers/greenery and inspect.
• Ensure that your flower vases/containers/buckets are clean and disinfected.
• Fill 2 vases/containers/buckets with at least 4″ of fresh, cool water and the other with warm water.
• Remove flowers from box by cutting any straps.
• Remove any flower bunch packaging material. Since hydrangeas are dependent on water, they come with little water bags attached to each stem.
• Cut the bottom of the stems diagonally approximately an inch from bottom under running water with sharp scissors or a knife. This will create a fresh surface to absorb water.
• Immediately after cutting, place the stems in the prepared warm water for approximately 5 seconds then place the flowers into the cool water.
• Allow flowers at least 4 hours to hydrate well before arranging.
• Keep flowers away from direct sunlight, drafts or excessive heat. Cooler temperatures will prolong the Hydrangea’s vase life. You may choose to use a floral refrigerator, but it’s not required.
• Remove any dark or fading petals. It is normal to find several unattractive dark or fading petals, all of which can be easily removed without damaging the Hydrangea.
• Change water and re-cut stems every 24 hours to keep the flowers fresh! Assure that your flowers have sufficient water as hydrangeas will especially drink an exceptionally large amount of water upon arrival.
• Hardware store buckets are terrific for rehydration!

To refresh wilted hydrangeas, dunk the entire flower head in cool water for approximately 40 minutes! For special instructions about reviving hydrangeas in this way, follow this link.

Pairs Well With:

Hydrangeas are considered a focal flower but can make a fantastic filler depending on your arrangement. Since they offer a large surface area packed full of texture and color, they are a budget-friendly option with a large impact for both centerpieces and bouquets. Roses, succulents, and peonies, would be terrific additions a hydrangea arrangement. Other uniquely textured blooms such as billy balls, thistles and hanging amaranthus would also pair extremely well.

Arranging Tips:

• Hydrangeas are a symbol of perseverance and understanding.
• When ready to arrange, give each stem a fresh diagonal cut.
• Each flower has an average vase life of 5 days, when properly cared for.
• There is only 1 bloom per stem and the size will span from 4″ – 6″ wide, with an average stem length of a 12″ – 16″.
• The word ‘hydrangea’ means water barrel, so keep in mind these beauties look best in water. If they are in your bouquet you’ll want to have a vase with water at your reception for them to rest in.
• Hydrangeas tend to vary in color from bloom to bloom; this is a naturally occurring phenomenon and part of their beauty.
• The stems on these flowers are super thick and so you’ll want to use a heavy duty pruner like these PowerGrip2 Pruning Shears from Fiskars to make clean, proper cuts.
• Hydrangeas are also great for dried arrangements. To dry them, simply hang them upside down, preferably in a warm place for a few days. Hydrangeas may lose a little color in the process but the dried flowers will last for eight months or longer.

Win Your Wedding Flowers!

Fifty Flowers has an awesome contest going on this year that I just had to share! They want to hear about your unique wedding flower story! Everyone who signs up will get 5% OFF their flower order, then once married, you visit their site to share your flower story and you’ll be entered to win one of the 3 great prizes! From $5,000 cash to a $500 Shutterfly gift certificate. Story sharing ends December 15th, 2017!

Post Sponsored By:

FiftyFlowers is the customer-centric, online destination for wholesale wedding flowers, shipped fresh from the farm straight to your door! Inspired by the DIY bride, we offer an extensive selection of fresh flowers, greenery, and floral accessories because we believe anyone can create their own wedding flowers.

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