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Purple Hydrangea Bouquet

See how to create a beautiful purple hydrangea bouquet that will brighten up your living spaces! This easy flower tutorial also shows how to arrange a purple hydrangea bridal bouquet and includes helpful tips for flower care.

purple hydrangea bouquet

Bouquet of purple hydrangeas

While I love them in all colors, there’s something alluring about purple hydrangeas. The deep violet hue is mesmerizing, and they look enchanting in vases and arrangements. Throw in a few filler florals, and you have a truly breathtaking bouquet!

Arranging hydrangeas can be tricky, but I’ll show you all the tricks you need to make a beautiful flower bouquet. Whether you want a bold statement piece for your living room or plan to make your own bridal decor, this tutorial is for you!

And for more flower arranging ideas, try some of my other DIY bouquets with peonies, roses and sunflowers, lavender, and this stunning eucalyptus arrangement.

materials for purple hydrangea bouquet

Materials

It’s blooms only today as I skipped any greenery. For this homemade bouquet, you’ll need the following supplies:

  • Purple hydrangeas are the elegant star of this floral bouquet. Hydrangeas are prolific bloomers and make excellent cut flowers. The varieties I used are called Deep Purple and Mon Amour.
  • Accent and filler flowers introduce diverse textures and color variations. You need a mix of small and medium-sized filler and accent flowers. I chose blooms in white and different shades of violet and blue to compliment my purple hydrangeas.
  • Vase: Hydrangeas are large and heavy flowers. You want to find a vase that can support the weight of the flower heads and compliments the bouquet. I opted for a simple white planter with a structured surface.
  • Flower food nourishes cut flowers and will extend the shelf life of your hydrangea bouquet.

Tools

  • Pruning shears to trim the flower stems
  • Scissors to snip off smaller leaves and raffia
  • Raffia to tie bouquet
purple hydrangea

Where can I find purple hydrangeas for sale?

Hydrangeas are widely accessible at flower shops, grocers, and you might even have some growing in your backyard. I’ve seen them sold at Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods.

When are hydrangeas available?

Hydrangeas are available year-round, though the peak supply is from May through November. Purple hydrangeas are most common in late summer and early fall, from August to October.

Purple hydrangea bouquet cost

A hydrangea bouquet costs approximately $15 to $23 to make. At grocery stores, 3 stems are offered for $5 to $8, and the price for filler flowers is $10 to $15. Look out for bundles of assorted flowers as they make excellent filler blooms.

Purple hydrangea varieties

Hydrangeas come in a near-endless variety of spectacular shades. Purple hydrangeas can be categorized into 3 groups, deep purple, blueish purple, and light purple. You can also find species that feature multiple colors on a single flower head.

  • Dark purple hydrangea: Dark purple cultivars encompass Deep Purple, Mon Amour, Violet Crown, Let’s Dance Rave, Wee Bit Grumpy, and Rodeo. The color of these varieties ranges from deep indigo to plum and red-violet.
  • Blue purple hydrangea: Endless Summer, Let’s Dance Rhythmic Blue, City Line Venice, City Line Vienna, Royal Parade, and Fabolous Anne are purple-blue hydrangeas. Specimen from this group combine perfectly with light and dark blue hydrangeas.
  • Light purple hydrangea: Light purple varieties include Bloom Struck, You and Me Together, Candy Floss Purple, and Tiny Tuff Stuff. These pastel-colored varieties are truly exquisite but rarely offered as cut flowers.
how to a make purple hydrangea bouquet

How to make a purple hydrangea bouquet

Step 1: Hydrate flowers (optional)

  • Trim the flower stems to create a fresh surface to absorb water.
  • Fill a clean bucket or container with warm water.
  • Add flower food and let the hydrangeas rest for 1 to 2 hours.
  • Fill a second bucket with cold water to hydrate the filler flowers.

Step 2: Remove foliage

  • Remove all leaves from the stems. Any foliage trapped below the waterline will rot and shorten the vase life.

Step 3: Create the center

  • Gather 3 stems tightly together, arranging them in a spiral around the center.

Tip: Mophead hydrangeas, like the ones you see in the pictures, have large, puffy heads of tightly clustered individual florets. If you find that the flowerhead is too big to fit into a bouquet, simply break off a few florets to reduce the size.

Step 4: Fill in the bouquet

  • Grab 3 to 4 filler flowers and insert them between the hydrangeas in the center of the bouquet.
  • Continue to build the bouquet by adding filler flowers around and between the hydrangea heads. Try to mix and match different filler flowers to create visual interest.

Step 5: Secure

  • Once you’ve used up all flowers and are satisfied with the look and shape of the bouquet, wrap a piece of raffia a few times around the stems.
  • Lay the bouquet down and tightly knot the raffia to secure the flowers in place.

Step 6: Shorten stems

  • Using shears, shorten the stems to a length that is appropriate for your vase.
  • Cut each flower stem at an angle to ensure the best water absorption.

Step 7: Display

  • Put the bouquet in a vase and display it in a location away from direct sunlight.
blue and purple hydrangea bouquet

Variations

Hydrangeas are versatile and pair beautifully with other flowers. Just avoid long, pointy flowers. They will stick out of the bouquet and don’t integrate well with the rounded hydrangea heads. Here are a few ideas:

  • Roses: Hydrangea and roses combine well. A purple hydrangea and white rose bouquet will look incredibly stunning.
  • Baby’s breath: Play with contrasts and create a purple hydrangea and baby’s breath bouquet. Tiny white baby’s breath will look lovely next to the voluminous hydrangea heads.
  • Other hydrangeas: You can never go wrong with mixing different hydrangea colors, for example, to make purple and blue hydrangea bouquets.
purple hydrangea wedding bouquet

Purple hydrangea wedding bouquet

Considering purple hydrangeas for your wedding? Over the years, I had a few brides request a purple hydrangea bridal bouquet and purple hydrangea centerpieces for their ceremonies.

The bold color and highly texturized appearance make hydrangeas spectacular wedding flowers. They bring a touch of chic and are sensational for fall.

To create purple hydrangea bouquets for weddings, follow the instructions described above. Once the bouquet is finished, wrap a piece of ribbon down the stems to form a handle so the bride can hold her flower bouquet.

For a more petite posy or bridesmaids’ bouquets, use only 2 stems and fewer filler flowers.

You can make the bridal bouquet one day ahead of time. Be sure to let the bouquet rest in plenty of fresh water overnight, so the flowers look fresh and hold up well on the big day.

purple hydrangea flowers

Purple hydrangea care

As hydrangeas are so beautiful, you want to enjoy your creation as long as possible. Follow my tips for the best vase life:

  • Hydrangeas are drinkers. Be sure to top off the water daily.
  • Recut the stems and change the water altogether every other day.
  • Add flower food and remove wilted foliage.
  • If possible, showcase your purple hydrangea bouquet in a cooler environment and out of direct sunlight.
  • Hydrangea bouquets should keep for 1 to 2 weeks.

Purple hydrangea meaning

What do purple hydrangeas mean? Purple hydrangeas symbolize abundance and the desire to deeply understand and connect with someone. Gifting a bouquet of purple hydrangeas is an expression of gratitude and appreciation.

The color purple signifies royalty, abundance, and wealth. As a mix of red and blue, purple combines the calmness of blue and the energy of red and is also associated with creativity and harmony.

The symbolism of hydrangea has different meanings, both positive and negative. They can represent gratitude, heartfelt emotion, and apology, but also boastfulness and vanity.

diy purple hydrangea bouquet

Purple Hydrangea Bouquet Instructions

Yield: 1 hydrangea bouquet
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Difficulty: intermediate

See how to create a beautiful purple hydrangea bouquet that will brighten up your living spaces! This easy flower tutorial also shows how to arrange a purple hydrangea bridal bouquet and includes helpful tips for flower care.

Materials

  • 3 purple hydrangea stems
  • 15-21 stems of assorted filler flowers (I used a mix of)
  • vase 
  • flower food

Instructions

  1. Hydrate flowers (optional). Trim the flower stems to create a fresh surface to absorb water. Fill a clean bucket or container with warm water. Add flower food and let the hydrangeas rest for 1 to 2 hours. Fill a second bucket with cold water to hydrate the filler flowers.
  2. Remove foliage. Remove all leaves from the stems. Any foliage trapped below the waterline will rot and shorten the vase life.
  3. Create center. Gather 3 stems tightly together, arranging them in a spiral around the center.
    Tip: Mophead hydrangeas, like the ones you see in the pictures, have large, puffy heads of tightly clustered individual florets. If you find that the flowerhead is too big to fit into a bouquet, simply break off a few florets to reduce the size.
  4. Fill in the bouquet. Grab 3 to 4 filler flowers and insert them between the hydrangeas in the center of the bouquet. Continue to build the arrangement by adding filler flowers around and between the hydrangea heads. Try to mix and match different filler flowers to create visual interest.
  5. Secure. Once you've used up all flowers and are satisfied with the look and shape of the bouquet, wrap a piece of raffia a few times around the stems. Lay the bouquet down and tightly knot the raffia to secure the flowers in place.
  6. Shorten stems. Using shears, shorten the stems to a length that is appropriate for your vase. Cut each flower stem at an angle to ensure the best water absorption.
  7. Display. Put the bouquet in a vase and display it in a location away from direct sunlight.

FAQ

How many hydrangeas do I need for a bouquet?

Hydrangeas are large and fluffy, so you don’t need a lot to create a beautiful arrangement. 2 to 3 stems are enough for small to medium-sized hand-held bouquets. 5 to 7 stems are a good number for large, stationary arrangements.

Do purple hydrangeas have a scent?

No, hydrangeas are scentless.

Do hydrangeas come in purple?

Yes, hydrangeas are available in different shades of purple, ranging from light to dark. The purple color is a result of cultivation and the soil their grown in.

Can you make purple hydrangeas?

Sure! Some species like Hydrangea macrophylla can change their color depending on how you care for them. Coloration is influenced by the soil pH and the presence or absence of aluminum in the soil.

More aluminum + acidic soil turns the petals blue; less aluminum makes them purple. Alkaline soil with no aluminum will result in pink hydrangeas. Check this article to learn more about changing hydrangea colors.

Will purple hydrangeas stay purple?

Yes, purple hydrangeas will maintain their purple color in a flower bouquet. As I’ve explained, the color is influenced by the soil. But once cut, the flower color remains the same.

Can I make a bouquet with artificial purple hydrangea?

Yes, of course! Purple hydrangea silk flowers are a good option if you want the bouquet to last longer. Just follow my tips, and you should end up with a gorgeous faux purple hydrangea arrangement.

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