Hydrangea macrophylla hybrids
Bigleaf hydrangea, Hortensia, Lace-cap hydrangea, Florist’s Hydrangea
Little needs to be said about these much-loved shrubs that originate from Japan.
They are so much a part and parcel the summer garden scene all around South Africa. Pick mature flower heads where it is evident that the tiny flowers have opened in the centre of each floret. Be sure to the cut stems with a fair length of mature, brown, bark. Scrape off the bark to a length of 10 cm at the base, cut under water and plunge into deep, warm water and leave to stand for a while before arranging in the vase. Spent or drying flower heads can also be used to good effect.
Advertisements