Florist’s Guide: The Best Hydrangea Varieties for Colour

Hydrangeas are among the most valued flowers in modern floristry, admired for their abundant volume, generous bloom heads, and extraordinary range of colours. Few flowers can fill space and convey luxury as effectively as a hydrangea. From cool whites to moody blues, soft blush tones to jewel-like purples and greens, each variety offers distinct advantages for design.

This guide explores the most reliable and desirable hydrangea varieties, organized by colour, with notes on form, longevity, conditioning, and design application.

White and Cream Hydrangeas

‘Snowball’ (Hydrangea macrophylla)

Colour: Crisp white, occasionally developing faint green undertones with age.
Form: Large, globe-shaped mophead.
Season: Late spring to midsummer.
Design Notes: This classic white hydrangea offers purity and versatility. Ideal for weddings, corporate work, and minimalist arrangements. When combined with roses or orchids, it produces clean, sculptural designs. It can yellow slightly under strong light, so store in cool conditions.

‘Verena White’

Colour: Pure snow white, highly uniform across petals.
Form: Large mophead, dense and symmetrical.
Design Notes: Favoured by florists for its consistency and long vase life. Excellent for large-scale installations or base structure in event work.

‘Magical Pearl’

Colour: Soft ivory to pale lime, often with a subtle blush as it ages.
Form: Compact mophead.
Design Notes: A variety bred for the cut-flower market. Its compact size and hard stems make it ideal for bouquets and arrangements where precision is needed.

Blush, Pink, and Rose Hydrangeas

‘You & Me Romance’

Colour: Light blush pink with a hint of cream.
Form: Double-flowered mophead (each floret layered like a small rose).
Design Notes: Exceptionally romantic and textural, this hydrangea suits bridal work, classic arrangements, and feminine palettes. Its petal form holds well even in high humidity.

‘Peppermint’

Colour: Soft pink with pale green edges; some blooms show white streaking.
Form: Rounded, mid-sized mophead.
Design Notes: Offers natural colour variation that adds visual movement. Perfect for vintage, garden-style designs.

‘Verena Pink’

Colour: Mid-pink, stable tone that does not fade rapidly.
Form: Full mophead.
Design Notes: Ideal for consistent tone across arrangements, particularly in commercial event production where colour accuracy is important.

‘Magical Amethyst Pink’

Colour: Pink shifting to antique rose and greenish-bronze as it matures.
Form: Mophead with dense texture.
Design Notes: Its antique colour shift makes it excellent for autumn designs and vintage themes.

Blue and Sky-Toned Hydrangeas

‘Nikko Blue’

Colour: Clear sky blue under acidic soil conditions; may turn lilac in neutral soil.
Form: Large, domed mophead.
Season: Early to mid-summer.
Design Notes: One of the most famous blue hydrangeas, valued for its reliability and traditional appeal. Works beautifully in summer wedding palettes and coastal designs.

‘Revolution Blue’

Colour: Deep denim blue with violet undertones.
Form: Full mophead with firm petals.
Design Notes: Highly saturated and long-lasting, ideal for bold, contemporary arrangements. Pairs well with white, silver, and dark green foliage.

‘Magical Blue Heaven’

Colour: Mid-blue that gradually deepens to slate as it ages.
Form: Round, dense flower head.
Design Notes: Excellent colour stability and longevity. Works well in cool-toned monochromatic arrangements.

Lavender, Mauve, and Purple Hydrangeas

‘Blue Danube’

Colour: Violet-lavender blend; colour varies with soil pH.
Form: Rounded mophead with smaller florets.
Design Notes: Provides a soft, diffused purple ideal for romantic or garden-inspired palettes. Combines elegantly with pale roses and lilac.

‘Early Blue’ (purple form)

Colour: Mauve with silver highlights.
Form: Medium-sized mophead.
Design Notes: Durable, well-balanced variety. Adds quiet sophistication to pastel or moody arrangements.

‘Magical Ruby Red’ (late stage)

Colour: Deep wine-purple with green and bronze undertones as it ages.
Form: Compact mophead.
Design Notes: Its colour transitions from vibrant to antique, making it highly versatile for both summer and autumn work.

Green, Lime, and Antique Tones

‘Limelight’ (Hydrangea paniculata)

Colour: Soft lime-green that turns creamy white, then rose as it matures.
Form: Cone-shaped panicle (not mophead).
Season: Late summer to early autumn.
Design Notes: One of the best hydrangeas for structure and longevity. Paniculata types hold better in heat and sunlight than classic mopheads. Excellent for outdoor events and large arrangements needing form and freshness.

‘Magical Greenfire’

Colour: Bright green with red edges appearing late in the season.
Form: Rounded, firm mophead.
Design Notes: Introduces texture and contrast. The dual-tone petals make it ideal for autumn and rustic-themed arrangements.

‘Annabelle’ (Hydrangea arborescens)

Colour: Pale green to soft white.
Form: Loose, dome-shaped head.
Season: Mid to late summer.
Design Notes: A graceful and airy species hydrangea with a more natural, woodland character. Works beautifully in organic or garden-style designs. Not as sturdy for transport, so best used locally.

Red and Burgundy Hydrangeas

‘Magical Ruby Red’

Colour: Rich ruby to garnet red; deepens as it matures.
Form: Mophead.
Design Notes: A premium cut-flower cultivar, long-lasting and dramatic. It brings depth and elegance to late-summer or winter arrangements. Pairs well with dark foliage, chocolate cosmos, and blush roses.

‘Red Sensation’

Colour: Bright cherry red with slight bronze tones.
Form: Round mophead.
Design Notes: Vivid and youthful, excellent for bold, contemporary design work. A striking contrast bloom when paired with white or green hydrangeas.

Bi-Colour and Specialty Hydrangeas

‘Harlequin’

Colour: Pink with white or cream margins.
Form: Mid-sized mophead.
Design Notes: Adds playfulness and intricacy to arrangements. Best used sparingly as an accent to highlight texture and pattern.

‘Magical Coral’

Colour: Pinkish coral with hints of green.
Form: Rounded, firm mophead.
Design Notes: A unique crossover tone between pink and peach. Perfect for romantic, sunset-inspired palettes.

‘Hot Red’

Colour: Crimson that shifts to purple-brown in late maturity.
Design Notes: A colour-changing hydrangea with strong structure and bold character — excellent for statement work.

Colour Management and Florist Techniques

Hydration Is Key: Hydrangeas are extremely thirsty. Recut stems under water and submerge the heads briefly in cool water to restore turgidity if wilting occurs.
Conditioning: Use a floral hydrating solution and keep in deep water for at least two hours before use. Remove all leaves below the waterline.
Temperature Control: Store at 5–7°C; avoid prolonged chilling to prevent moisture loss.
Colour Variation: Hydrangea colour is influenced by soil pH (acidic soil produces blue, alkaline produces pink). Imported cut hydrangeas are preconditioned, but expect some natural variation across batches.
Pairing Strategy:
- Whites and greens: timeless, clean compositions.
- Pinks and blushes: romantic and classic.
- Blues and purples: calm, elegant, or coastal.
- Reds and antiques: rich and moody for autumn or winter.
Design Use: Hydrangeas provide instant volume and can replace multiple stems of smaller blooms. They are particularly effective in centrepieces, aisle arrangements, and installations where scale is required.
Longevity Tip: Mist lightly with water during events; hydrangeas absorb moisture through petals, extending life.

Florist tips

Hydrangeas bring immediate luxury, texture, and colour depth to floral design. Their generous form makes them indispensable in weddings, hospitality décor, and event installations. From the pure white of ‘Verena White’ to the sunset coral of ‘Magical Amethyst Pink’ and the antique tones of ‘Ruby Red,’ hydrangeas offer florists a colour palette that evolves beautifully through the seasons.
Understanding how each variety performs — in both vase and design — allows the florist to use these blooms to their fullest expressive potential.

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