Hydrangea And Gardenia Bridal Bouquets: A Step-By-Step Guide

Hydrangeas and gardenias are both popular choices for wedding bouquets. Hydrangeas are versatile flowers that complement a range of wedding styles, from romantic to formal, whimsical to modern, and even rustic. They come in a variety of colours, including white, blue, green, pink, red, and purple, and have large blooms that make a statement in any bouquet. Gardenias, on the other hand, are tropical flowers known for their sweet and spicy fragrance, with undertones of coconut or peach. They symbolise purity, gentleness, and sweet love, and are typically associated with Southern brides. Both flowers can be combined with other blooms such as roses, dahlias, and orchids to create a stunning and elegant arrangement.

Hydrangeas and gardenias: colour combinations and meanings

Hydrangeas and gardenias are both popular choices for wedding bouquets, with hydrangeas offering a full shape, intricate texture, and a wide range of colours.

Colour Combinations

Hydrangeas come in a variety of colours, including white, blue, green, pink, red, purple, and antique shades. Gardenias are typically white, cream, or yellow. When combining hydrangeas and gardenias in a bouquet, you can choose complementary or contrasting colours to create a desired aesthetic. For example, a bouquet of white hydrangeas and gardenias can be a classic and elegant choice, while adding a pop of colour with blue or pink hydrangeas can create a more whimsical or modern look.

Meanings

In terms of flower symbolism, hydrangeas represent a range of emotions and meanings depending on their colour. White hydrangeas symbolise purity, grace, and abundance, but can also signify arrogance or vanity, especially in the context of Victorian-era gift-giving. Blue hydrangeas convey forgiveness, regret, and gratitude, making them a thoughtful choice for expressing apology. Pink hydrangeas symbolise true feelings, love, and sincerity, with individual blossoms resembling hearts. Purple hydrangeas represent the desire for deeper understanding and are often chosen for fourth-anniversary gifts, symbolising pride and royalty. Green hydrangeas signify renewal, rebirth, prosperity, good fortune, and youthfulness, making them an ideal gift for someone seeking a fresh start.

How to care for hydrangeas and gardenias

Hydrangeas and gardenias are both beautiful flowers that can be part of a bouquet or a garden. Here is how to care for them.

Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas are easy-to-grow ornamental garden or container plants with spherical flower heads that come in a wide array of colours, including shades of pink, purple, blue, red, green, and white. They are toxic to people and pets, so be sure to keep them out of reach.

Hydrangeas are rapid growers, averaging two feet of growth per year, and their blooms can last all summer and into fall. They can be planted in the late spring or early fall so the roots can establish themselves before the first frost. Dig a hole two times as wide as the root ball and make sure it sits at the same depth it did in the nursery pot, then water deeply.

Hydrangeas prefer well-drained soil that has organic matter mixed in and adequate moisture. They should be watered regularly to keep them consistently moist, especially in hot and dry weather. Fertilise them once in the spring and prune them according to their species and the time of year when they set buds.

Gardenias

Gardenias are also known as cape jasmine and are one of the most fragrant flowers that can be grown at home. They are delicate and require specific care, including a certain soil acidity, plenty of water and light, cool temperatures, and high humidity. They are also vulnerable to pests.

Gardenias can be planted outdoors or indoors. When planting outdoors, find an area with full sun to light shade. They thrive in partial shade, high humidity, and an even supply of moisture and nutrients. The ideal seasons to plant them are spring or fall, when there is enough sun without too much heat.

When planting, dig a hole in the soil the size of the gardenia's root ball and fill it with water to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets. Water gardenias with about an inch of water once a week and apply a two-inch layer of organic mulch to keep the soil moist and reduce weed growth. Feed them with acid fertiliser twice a year to promote healthy flower growth.

Prune your gardenias in early spring to shape the bush and deadhead after flowering to encourage more flowers. Monitor them for pests such as whiteflies and mealybugs, which can be treated with insecticidal soap or horticulture oil.

If you are growing gardenias indoors, place them in an area where they will receive direct sunlight for half a day and maintain a temperature of 64 °F (18 °C) during the day and 55 °F (13 °C) at night. Water them once a week and fertilise once in spring and again in summer. Use a humidifier or place the pot on a tray of pebbles and water to increase the humidity around the plant. Prune them in the spring to encourage flowering.

Bouquet shapes and silhouettes

When it comes to choosing the shape of your wedding bouquet, you'll want to consider the silhouette of your wedding dress, the overall style of your wedding, and the types of flowers you want to include. Here are some popular bouquet shapes and silhouettes to help guide you in creating your dream hydrangea and gardenia wedding bouquet:

• Natural/Organic Bouquets: These bouquets are arranged loosely to create an organic, effortless look. While they can be 360-degree arrangements, there is usually a distinguishable front and back side. This shape can be tailored to suit a range of wedding styles, from classic to boho-chic, depending on the flowers used and the arrangement.
• Crescent-Shaped Bouquets: This bouquet style mimics the shape of a horizontal crescent moon. It is typically tighter and more manicured at the top, with a slight cascade on both sides, and is held in front of the bride. Roses, calla lilies, clematis, tulips, and fritillaria work well in this type of arrangement.
• Cascade/Teardrop Bouquets: Cascade bouquets feature an upside-down teardrop shape, wider at the top and tapering to a narrow point. They can be full and lush or more loosely arranged, with trailing vines and blooms. This shape works well with orchids and flowers like peonies, hollyhocks, and Japanese anemones. It is a popular choice for making a dramatic entrance.
• Round Bouquets: Round bouquets are classic and traditional, featuring a voluminous ball of blooms. They are symmetrical and can be viewed from all angles. Using a single type of flower or a limited colour palette can be very effective for this style.
• Hoop Bouquets: For this style, flowers are attached to a hoop or wreath, which is carried in the hand or slipped onto the wrist. Hoop bouquets are popular for boho-themed weddings and offer a modern alternative to traditional bouquets.
• Posy Bouquets: Posy bouquets are small and can be easily held in one hand, making them a good option for bridesmaids. They are loosely arranged with greenery and have a less rounded shape compared to nosegay bouquets.
• Statement Bouquets: If you're wearing a modern wedding suit, a bold and individual statement bouquet is a perfect choice. Consider a crescent shape or unexpected elements that don't adhere to tradition. You may also want to include hairpieces or statement floral jewellery to complement your look.

Choosing complementary flowers

When choosing complementary flowers for a hydrangea and gardenia wedding bouquet, there are a few things to consider, from colour to style and even the season.

Firstly, it is important to note that hydrangeas come in a variety of colours, including white, blue, green, pink, red, purple and antique shades. Gardenias, on the other hand, are most popular in ivory, but also come in yellow, pink and red. If you want to create a monochromatic bouquet, you could opt for flowers in the same colour family, but with different tones and petal shapes. For example, if you chose to go with a purple theme, you could combine dark purple flowers with hydrangeas in a paler lilac shade.

Alternatively, you could opt for a complementary colour scheme, where flowers of opposing colours on the colour wheel are paired together. For example, if you wanted to include more hydrangeas in shades of blue, you could add in some complementary orange flowers to make the bouquet pop. Similarly, if you wanted to emphasise the red shades of some gardenias, you could add in some green flowers.

If you are looking for a softer, more romantic aesthetic, you could opt for a pastel colour scheme, pairing the hydrangeas and gardenias with flowers in shades of peach, ivory and pink. For a rustic or fall-inspired wedding, you could add in some greenery, such as eucalyptus or olive branches, or even some deeper purple flowers for contrast.

For a summer wedding, you could take inspiration from the season and opt for a vibrant yellow and orange colour scheme. Or, for a more romantic option, pair the hydrangeas and gardenias with some classic roses in complementary colours.

DIY bouquet-making steps

Hydrangeas and gardenias are both popular choices for wedding bouquets, and they pair well together. Here is a step-by-step guide to making your own hydrangea and gardenia wedding bouquet:

Step 1: Source Your Flowers and Materials

You will need to purchase or pick your hydrangeas and gardenias, as well as any other flowers or greenery you want to include. Some popular pairings with hydrangeas and gardenias include roses, dahlias, orchids, and eucalyptus. You will also need floral tape, ribbon, and scissors.

Step 2: Prepare Your Flowers

Hydrangeas and gardenias are delicate flowers that require careful handling. To ensure they stay fresh, keep them in water as long as possible and only remove them from the water when you are ready to assemble your bouquet. If you are using gardenias, be mindful that they are very sensitive to touch, and the oils from your skin can cause their petals to bruise and turn brown.

Step 3: Create Your Bouquet Structure

Start by wrapping floral tape around the stems of your hydrangeas, as they will form the base of your bouquet due to their round shape and large blooms. You can then add in your gardenias and any other flowers or greenery you have chosen. Play around with the placement of the flowers to create a balanced and visually appealing arrangement.

Step 4: Secure Your Bouquet

Once you are happy with the structure of your bouquet, use floral tape to secure the stems together. You can then cover the tape with a silk ribbon of your choice, wrapping it around the stems to add a decorative touch and to hide any mechanics.

Step 5: Care for Your Bouquet

Keep your bouquet in a vase of water until you are ready to walk down the aisle. Hydrangeas require a lot of water and will wilt if they are out of water for more than a few hours. You can also give the stems a fresh snip whenever you return them to the water to help them stay hydrated.

By following these steps, you will be able to create a beautiful and elegant hydrangea and gardenia wedding bouquet that is sure to impress on your special day.

Frequently asked questions