How does a random plant – like the hydrangea – suddenly leap out of last century to become the It plant? (If you don’t believe us, visit Pinterest.) Yup – Hydrangeas have definitely moved on from being a granny-garden relic to being über popular and here are 4 reasons to plant hydrangeas…

1. Hydrangeas look lush. Just looking at them makes you feel like you’re being pampered. Their foliage is ample and the flowers are over-the-top. As a plant they somehow exude generosity, opulence, luxury. No wonder we want them: after all we’ve just come out of a few years tight with uncertainty and risk. Having a hydrangea in the garden, in a pot on the balcony or in a vase on the table: it’s a treat we all deserve.

2. They have brilliant flowers. Anyone with a vase of fresh flowers wants them to last as long as possible. That’s definitely on the agenda if you’re buying them from the florist, but it also makes sense if you’re growing them yourself. Which is why choosing garden plants with great cut-flower staying power is something to think about. Hydrangeas are legendary when it comes to vase-life longevity. You cut them, plunge their stems into a vase of water and then leave them be. The water will eventually evaporate and you’ll be left with a dried arrangement that’s doesn’t quite have the living loveliness of the early days, but is very special in a different, still-life sort of way.

3. Hydrangeas look romantic, (and we all love a bit of that). Hydrangeas and Regency era romances seem to go together: it’s probably the ruffles looking like a hydrangea bush in flower. All that lace at the hero’s throat and flounces on the bonnets of the heroine. (No wonder the two types of flower form are known as the lace cap and the mophead: one has a combination of opened and unopened florets and the other is a fully opened ball.)

4. They are easy to grow. Any plant that is easy to grow soon becomes popular. If anyone can pop one in the ground, water it, then stand back and watch it turn into something wonderful, well that’s a winner. And before someone says they need too much water, remember that we’re very water savvy these days. We know how to group the plants together that want more frequent drinks. That way we put the water where it’s appreciated and don’t waste it. And if you plant hydrangea varieties like Tuxedo®, Strawberries & Cream® or Blueberries & Cream™ you’ll be growing plants that like a bit of water to get established but from then on, a little will go a long way.