If there is one plant that truly belongs in a New Zealand summer garden, it is the hydrangea. You see them everywhere from villas shaded by old pōhutukawa to bright coastal gardens where the sea breeze rolls straight across the lawn. They thrive here because our climate spoils them and because they love water. The clue is in the name. Hydro means water, and hydrangea roughly translates to water vessel.
Hydrangeas also carry a wonderfully rich history. They originated in Japan, where they were treasured for centuries and often planted near temples. In Japanese folklore, a hydrangea was once offered as a heartfelt apology from an emperor to the woman he loved, which is probably why the flower became linked with gratitude and understanding. They appear often in old summer poems, described as soft clusters shifting colour in the rain.
From Japan, hydrangeas travelled to China, Korea, and eventually Europe in the 1700s, where plant collectors went wild for them. Victorians adored them for their showiness. Some even believed they symbolised heartfelt emotion, which feels fair since they wilt dramatically the moment they’re thirsty.
Caring for them is simple because they are forgiving plants. Keep them well watered through the hotter months and they will reward you with generous blooms. Morning watering is best. They prefer a good soak at the roots rather than a quick sprinkle. They really do live up to the hydro in their name.
And now for the magic trick. If your hydrangeas in a vase start to look wrinkled or droopy, most people assume it is over. Not so. Fill your bathtub with cold water and lay the flowers in completely submerged. Leave them for a few hours. They behave almost like sea creatures returning to life, lifting their heads again as if nothing ever happened. They are one of the few cut flowers that can make such a dramatic comeback if given fresh cold water.
In the garden, they respond just as well to a long drink. A deep soak usually revives them after a hot afternoon. They may be dramatic, but they are loyal.
Hydrangeas suit Auckland beautifully. They love our climate, they bring generous colour, and they carry a history that stretches well beyond our fences and footpaths. Whether you grow them for nostalgia, shade, or sheer beauty, they bring a sense of abundance that feels perfectly at home here.
If you feel inspired to bring some into your own home, hydrangea season begins in the next few weeks.
We’ll have beautiful bunches available through December and they make a thoughtful Christmas gift.