List of the Best Hydrangea Cut Flowers

Green and White

• "Limelight" (Hydrangea paniculata "Limelight") earned honors as the American Society of Cut Flower Growers 2006 Flower of the Year. Popular for green flower panicles lasting up to 14 days when cut, "Limelight" delivers three-fold: early in the season while still green, with the white flowers fully open and with aged blooms of pink tinged with green. It is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 8. Snowball hydrangeas (Hydrangea arborescens) remain commercial staples. "Annabelle" (Hydrangea arborescens "Annabelle"), 1995 Georgia Gold Medal Plant, bears abundant 8- to 12-inch blooms. "Grandiflora" (Hydrangea arborescens "Grandiflora") affords profuse, long-lasting 8-inch blooms. Both varieties are hardy in USDA zones 3 through 9 and can be used while green or fully opened to white.

Pink and Blue

• Depending on soil acidity, ASCFG's 2009 Cut Flower of the Year, "Hamburg" (Hydrangea macrophylla. "Hamburg") bears blooms of deepest blue or dark pink. They age to an antique-looking mix of green, blue and pink. "Hamburg" is suitable for USDA zones 6 through 9. Endless Summer hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla "Bailmer") makes beautiful blooms available, even in northern gardens. Hardy in USDA zones 4 through 9, its 8-inch blooms continue all summer, providing an endless supply of cut flowers in pink or blue. "Blushing Bride" (Hydrangea macrophylla "Blushing Bride") presents pure white blooms that mature to blushing pink. Hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9, it bears long-lasting flowers on strong, upright stems perfect for cutting.

Bloom Color

• The bloom color of most bigleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) depends on the plant's access to aluminum in soils. In acidic soils, aluminum absorption comes easily and blue flowers result. More alkaline soils translate to pink flowers because less aluminum can be absorbed. You can manipulate flower color and intensity by altering soil pH. Generally, sulfur or aluminum sulfate is added for blue coloration while lime is added for pink. See your local nursery professional for expert advice on appropriate soil alterations for your desired effect and the soils in your area.

Bloom Preparation

• Depending on the age of the bloom when cut, most hydrangea flowers last six to 12 days. The more open the bloom, the longer the flowers last. Cut hydrangeas in the morning and place them in cool water immediately. Remove all leaves, cut stems at an angle and make a long vertical cut into the stem's base. Then let them sit fully submerged up to the flowers for a few hours before placing in your vase. Generally the shorter the stem, the longer your blooms will last. Once your bouquet begins to fade, empty the water and return the blooms to the empty vase. Let your hydrangeas blooms dry, and continue enjoying lovely hydrangea cut flowers.