A hydrangea centerpiece can be made from just hydrangeas or a mix of hydrangeas and other flowers, and in a single-color or multi-color arrangement. By varying the flower colors, types of flowers, and the vase, the possibilities for a hydrangea centerpiece are limitless. The large blooms of the hydrangea make this type of arrangement fairly easy to construct.
The first step in creating a hydrangea centerpiece is to decide if only hydrangeas will be used. If so, the centerpiece can be composed of flowers of just one color or flowers in a variety of colors, because hydrangeas come in many different hues. Most florists feel that a hydrangea centerpiece composed of just one color is more formal and a mix of colors is more casual.
When mixing other flower types in a hydrangea centerpiece, the key is to select the most pleasing color combination and striking contrast. The hydrangeas should be selected first, and then the complementary flowers should be held near the hydrangeas to make sure the colors work. Flowers of a different shape, such as single blooms on a stem or a column of blooming flowers running up a stem, work well with the large globe shape of the hydrangea.
To prepare the flowers for arranging, the stems of all the flowers should be cut underwater at an angle and then immediately placed in water. This will help to keep the flowers hydrated and perky. Wilted hydrangea blooms can be bolstered by submerging the entire bloom and stem in cool water for a few hours.
The vase used should be fairly low so that it will not obstruct the views across the table. Tall narrow vases should be avoided unless only one bloom is being used. To help hold the arrangement in place, narrow bands of floral tape can be placed across the opening of the vase in a grid. Flower stems can then be placed in the grid openings to provide support for the flowers and keep them from falling on top of one another.
Hydrangeas should be placed in the vase one at a time. If one color is being used, the best flowers should be placed around the edges and the poorest flowers in the center. When more than one color is being used, the arranger can play with the composition until the colors look nice, watching out for attractive mixing and no identical colors next to each other. If a different kind of flower is being added to the centerpiece, those blooms can be added next. Greenery or leaves can be slid down between the vase and the flowers to frame the centerpiece.
A hydrangea centerpiece typically lasts from a couple of days to a week. The life of these arrangements can be prolonged by changing the water every one to two days. To change the water without destroying the arrangement, place the vase in the sink and slowly run water into the vase until the water is overflowing. Let the water exchange for a minute, then dry off the vase and replace it on the table.
