I used to hate hydrangeas. I thought they were "old-lady" flowers, in that they were outdated and usually found in a carpeted bathroom next to a pink-floral wallpaper.
This is an example of using hydrangea in a way I personally don't appreciate.
But the truth is, almost any flower can be misperceived this way, as most every flower was used 50 years ago. The difference is in how you USE the your flowers in each arrangement.
So here is a look at some arrangements that use hydrangeas in a way I can appreciate.
Flirty Fleurs
I love this compote done by Flirty Fleurs, with the clematis and the pansies. Notice how she's layered the different hues of purple, and then used all bright green foliage to make the purple pop. Such a bright and happy piece.
Holly Chapple
These large urns are gorgeous. They use large blooms like the white and green hydrangeas, white peonies and large white roses to fill the space. Then to create her lines she used the draping amaranthus for drama and the mixed-in snapdragons for whimsey. Such a well-balanced piece.
Moss Flowers and Gardens
Now here is an example of layering your greens, from dark green at the base to bright and cheery lime green roses used in clusters. The hydrangeas in this one were used to add texture to the wreath, as there are a lot of smooth leaves and blooms to counter. Then to complement the greens they used the lime dendrobium orchids with a red center, to add a pop of color, and to help direct our eye around the wreath. And to harmonize with the rest of it we have the white hydrangeas and anthuriums. The white and green anthurium are placed in pairs, helping to literally point our eye in the direction it wants us to go. An excellent example of design placement!
Floral Artistry
The flowers on this wedding arch are used in only one place, but it's quite a large arch. So to make sure the flowers stood out and fit the size of it she used large hydrangeas to create the bulk of the piece. Hydrangeas are excellent for giving easy mass to any floral piece.
Fleuropean
I love how the hydrangea camouflages into this piece. Using a plethora of ruffley flowers, the garden roses and sweet peas in particular, the purple hydrangea blends into the side of the piece, subtly adding color rather than the bulk and texture a hydrangea is usually used for. I love it.
Cottage Flower Design
Here is one last example of hydrangeas used for bulk and texture. The hydrangea brings in a lacey feel to the smooth greens and spiral roses in these urns. I like the use of various greens selected here to bring in variety: ivy, eucalyptus and italian ruscus, to name a few.
Well there you go. I hope I've given you more reasons to enjoy hydrangeas. Next time you're looking at a floral piece, see if you can spot them and identify just what purpose the hydrangea is serving in the design. It's fun!