June is when hydrangeas start blooming everywhere. Every year, I enjoy visiting a few of my favorite spots to see how the colors have come in and how the flowers are doing. Their soft, translucent hues and the way they slowly shift and change — it’s something I look forward to, a quiet touch of color woven into ordinary days.
Flower Meanings & Birth Flower
Hydrangeas carry meanings like “fickleness,” “patience,” and “family bonds” — and interestingly, the meaning shifts slightly depending on the color. They’re one of the signature birth flowers of June. Blue, purple, white, pink — every shade has a calm, airy quality, like the flowers have soaked up the soft summer air. The cool tones blend together so gently that just gazing at them feels quietly settling.
When is the Best Time to See Hydrangeas?
Peak season is typically early June through early July, which falls right in line with the rainy season in Japan. Timing can vary a little depending on where you are, so it’s worth looking up hydrangea spots near you!
Rainy Day Hydrangea Walks
Hydrangeas and rain just belong together. There’s something about the way they look in the drizzle — so different from a sunny day, and somehow even more beautiful. I love slowing down, umbrella in hand, and taking a closer look at the flowers. Just don’t forget your bug spray.
One thing I always make a point of visiting this time of year is a floral water display at a nearby shrine — where hydrangeas are floated on the surface of a water basin. It’s such a serene sight that I always find myself stopping to take it in. The way the colors and the gentle ripple of the water come together, and how it looks just a little different every year — that’s one of the quiet joys of a flower walk.
On rainy days, I often stay home and work away at making clay hydrangeas. Listening to the rain outside while finishing each petal one by one — it’s a very June kind of creative time.
Hydrangeas in Clay
Hydrangeas are made up of so many tiny blooms clustered together, which makes them a really rewarding flower to recreate in clay.
Hydrangea Tutorial Video
I’ve shared a free tutorial on YouTube — you can follow along with the whole process, so feel free to take a look and get a feel for how it comes together.
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The Flower That Inspired My First Mold
Hydrangeas actually hold a special place for me — they were the very first flower I ever made a mold for.
The vein structure of a hydrangea petal is so distinctive, and I could never quite get it right with a stylus or the veiners I had for other flowers. I kept thinking, “if only I had a mold, I could capture that delicate, almost fleeting look of the petals.” That thought is what started everything. After a lot of trial and error, I finally made my first mold — and that same design is still being reproduced and finding its way to people today. Recently, I even received a warm message from a customer overseas, along with photos of the hydrangeas they’d made. To everyone using my tools — thank you so much, truly.
This mold and cutter set lets you recreate those delicate petals with ease. I hope it becomes a helpful companion for your hydrangea making. ↓
Membership Lessons
I also have a hydrangea video from early on in my clay journey — a budget-friendly version using 100-yen shop supplies, as well as one for a framed arrangement. And in my membership, I’ve created a lesson using my original tools, with a slightly different approach from the free version. If you’re curious, I’d love for you to check it out!
