My family history began in Japan in the early 2000’s. My inception was the brainchild of my creator, none other than Ushio Sakazaki, the now world-renowned plant breeder who revolutionised Petunias. But this is all about me, so let’s get started.
When Ushio Sakazaki embarked on a journey to create an entirely new type of Hydrangea he went on a search to find hydrangea species with different branching habits and more flowers - now categorised as the Garland hydrangea. He then went about crossing these with an Asian species of macrophylla (this part remains top secret). I emerged as the chosen one but that was just my beginning. I then underwent many years of extensive trials and mixing with other plants in some quite salubrious growing conditions before I was finally officially ready to conquer the world!
But, before I could be sent out into the world of beautiful plants, I needed a stage name - much like a rockstar (as Ushio always knew I would be). Presented at trade exhibitions and gardens throughout the world, I was a hot item in high demand from my very first viewing. ‘Simply stunning’ they said. ‘As evocative as a bride!’
I finally had my name, RUNAWAY BRIDE® Hydrangea. Although when entering new countries, some immigration officers were rather suspicious of my passport and wondered what I might be running from. Thankfully, my travelling entourage quickly dispelled any concerns.
You might be wondering about the unique characteristics that make me such a star. Well, I have several! The unbelievable profusion of flowers that I bring forth in early summer is truly unique in the world of hydrangeas. After the first flush of flowers, fresh blooms keep coming sporadically on the new shoots. The show continues all summer long and well into autumn.
Plant lovers have described my floral abundance as breathtaking and lush, just like a wedding dress. I don’t mind saying that I’m particularly attractive in containers in the most elegant, decorative manner. I even perform well in hanging baskets, creating a spectacular show with my graceful trailing habit. Naturally, I’m also an eye-catcher in flower beds and in garden settings, anywhere where you want classic and elegant beauty.
Since embarking on my world tour, I have become an A-lister celebrity at many trade exhibitions and events. I even made an appearance at the wedding of Zara Phillips and English Rugby star, Mike Tindall. I must point out, however, that I’m an All Black fan first and foremost, despite being dressed prolifically in white.
Be assured though, I am not only for brides and grandmas. The entire modern world has fallen in love with hydrangeas as we (myself in particular) scoop up global awards and feature in celebrity weddings. Our reputation for show-stopping blooms, elegant form and foliage and understated beauty has us touted as ‘The Madonnas’ of flowering shrubs.
Another of my world-class characteristics, is the unique way that I flower; not only from terminal buds, but also from virtually all lateral buds, creating a profusion of lace-cap style flowers. As a revolutionary hybrid, I am also reliably remontant, the plant breeders’ term for my exceptional ability to continue blooming well into autumn. And no, I am not on steroids!
In 2018, after much fanfare and promotional appearances, I really made the big time; I was ready for the holy grail of garden shows. The Chelsea Flower Show is like the Oscars of the plant world. Of course, I didn’t disappoint as I’m right at home with other celebrities and A-listers. Yes, I rubbed buds with the royals and probably even Sir Elton John and Sir Cliff Richard. It was really Keith Richards’ cup of tea. Anyway, although not surprised but certainly honoured, I was crowned “Chelsea Flower Show Plant of the Year.” I then went on to win Japan’s Flower of The Year Award.
Since making my way down under, I was recently crowned “Australia Plant of the Year.” Yep, I made a splash there too. Bring on New Zealand. Look out for me in the next edition of Go Gardening magazine and I’ll explain my complex journey to get into New Zealand and the extensive Visa process I went through.
After her sparkling debut in the autumn issue of Go Gardening Magazine, she is already the talk of the town. Now, in eager anticipation of her New Zealand release this coming spring, the irrepressible Runaway Bride, is back with part two of her three part story…
Hi once again! Following on from the autumn edition I thought I should give you a brief recap of my journey so far. Then I want to tell you about the hefty and involved processes while getting ready to wow people in New Zealand.
Bred in Japan and released in Europe, in 2018 I became the star of the Chelsea Flower Show. As you can see from my appearance and versatile uses, it’s not hard to see why. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to meet the Queen but I am still hopeful of a spot in the gardens of Buckingham Palace. Thankfully, Harry and Meghan had already married as I would have ended up participating in their wedding display with my name, Runaway Bride drawing coincidental parallels.
Anyway, after making a name for myself, it was time to embark on a world tour and set my roots in New Zealand. My agent hooked me up with one of the best plant brands here in New Zealand called Gardening Solutionz. After some extensive plant health testing, similar to that of a NASA astronaut, I finally got my boarding pass to enter New Zealand.
On arrival, I was drowned in chemicals in order to protect against any nasty diseases I may have been carrying. I was then sent to a quarantine facility similar to that of a Covid hotel, only for a lot longer stay. Six months in fact! During that time, I was well catered for with regular watering and nutrients. Periodically the MPI doctors would come and inspect me (thankfully, I don’t have a prostate),and ensure I had all the comforts of home. Lovely people!
Six months after my arrival, it was time to enter my parole period where I could learn to integrate with other like minded plants. Hopefully in time, creative landscape architects will integrate me with stars of similar repute.
So, here I am now waiting among other quarantined plants, to find my way in the world. I must say the accommodation was pretty salubrious at first; in a subtropical environment and with my own swimming pool that they fill each day.
Being locked up for a while meant I’d lost a little form so I really need to get back in shape. So, just when I thought the nursery staff loved me, they threw me outside for winter. “Harden up!” they said. This surprised me as I really thought my behaviour was good. Anyway, it was boot camp time!
By spring I was really feeling it was my time to shine. I’d had a couple of haircuts and was ready to branch out. I am now officially a ‘motherstock’ plant, prepping myself to produce lots of cuttings and produce many more mother stock plants. It’s time to breed an army of me!
Spring is the time to get prepped up for rooting. As you can see from these pictures, we’re nice and even. We’re all planted in trays like little soldiers then placed on a nice electric blanket. Ideal conditions for giving birth. Just two months later here we are with good strong roots ready to be embedded into nutritional potting mix and placed outside for the lovely summer months. Thankfully rabbits don’t find us appetising or we’d end up with a very bad haircut.
By the end of summer we were looking healthy and strong, with lots of branches and even showing off the handsome marquee flowering habit that made us famous. I am thrilled to report that there are now several hundred of us and collectively are happy to surrender a wealth of cuttings which will have us looking as uniform as a North Korean army. Even the other plants around us are in awe of our habit. Some are so jealous they’ve turned their toes up and died!
I can’t wait to hit the garden centres in spring, but for now it’s back to prop. And the process starts all over again. Back on the heat beds (clearly a case of safety in numbers), we are getting the royal treatment we deserve.
See you in spring when I’ll tell you about being potted and grown on in the nursery,and making friends with retailers.
Finally, she is ready to grace our gardens. Spectacular Runaway Bride® arrives in garden centres this October. Here she is back with part three of her entertaining three-part story.
Spring is fast approaching and we’re all getting ready to walk down the aisle. I can promise you the only running we Runway Brides be doing will be into your shopping trolleys.
Since I last wrote, our New Zealand agents, Gardening Solutionz, have linked us to the best garden centres in New Zealand. Such was our popularity, in many cases we’ve been double booked!
We are due to arrive in garden centres in October although, as often happens with rock stars, we’ve had to add on additional dates. So, rest assured, if you miss out in spring we promise to make a return in February 2026. Coincidentally, that’s a good time to schedule a wedding!
In the meantime, here’s a recap of progress, a few snippets from my diary - since my time setting roots in nursery ‘Prop’.
After returning from a cold winter outside, thankfully we were moved into a delightfully heated house and given a good dose of food. So we took the hint! It was time to branch out and give our lovely team in Prop the best and most cuttings possible.
Within weeks we had generously set roots and arrived at the potting machine ahead of schedule. Effectively, we were all given an identical dwelling then sent outdoors to enjoy the summer months, our pots full of nutrient similar to that of an ‘all-you-can-eat’ buffet. That said, our form and fitness are meticulously managed through our time in the nursery so, when we hit the stage, we can play several encores.
Finally we were given a late summer trim with the help of an incredible pruning device. This allowed us to branch out before winter, in preparation for our spring flowering. Our inaugural introduction into your gardens was fast approaching!
Strangely, over the winter months we love to get naked. But unlike other Hydrangeas, we set all our buds along the branches, so we don’t appreciate being pruned in winter as this takes away our spectacular spring flowering.
As it was proving to be a cold and frosty winter, our caregivers decided to move us to a sheltered part of the nursery - one of the beautiful crop-cover areas. We don’t have any problem with frosty or exposed conditions, but demand has been so great that we wanted to be certain of our release date and that we would be wearing our best party dress.
Our siblings in Australia are still turning heads, two years on from making their first appearance, only last year winning “Australia plant of the Year.” I expect in time we’ll receive the same accolades here in New Zealand and will be appearing in the most modern and stylish landscapes throughout both islands.
Not to state the obvious, but we are looking forward to being the star attraction at many weddings too, although ever mindful to ensure the bride isn’t me and most certainly doesn’t runaway.
See you all in good garden centres in October. Let’s hope the show starts as scheduled!
The floriferous bush habit of this Hydrangea lends itself well to specimen container planting. It looks its best when allowed to tumble over the side of the container. The natural choice would be a vintage style container, but it can also work well in modern slate or jet black containers too.
Versatile ‘Runaway Bride’ looks great in hanging baskets, and on balconies in long planter boxes. Of course she grows well in garden beds too; in borders, rockeries, and can even be trained upwards on a trellis or obelisk.
