Costco Sells Hydrangeas In Several Forms - Are Any Of Them Worth Buying?

Elegant hydrangeas have become a staple for flower lovers thanks to their attractive, vibrant blooms. Whether you're an avid gardener looking to add more color and variety to your flower beds or prefer to arrange clippings in decorative vases around the house, chances are you're familiar with this gorgeous showstopper of a plant. It's no secret there's a demand for striking hydrangea flowers, which could be why major retailers like Costco sell a wide array in multiple varieties and forms. From live, potted shrubs that change color as the seasons change to fresh cut flower clippings fit for a bouquet, there's no shortage of options when it comes to buying hydrangeas from Costco.

But hydrangeas are not considered to be an inexpensive flower. They can be pricey, and before you invest your hard-earned money, you want to feel confident that you're getting what you paid for. It can be difficult to know if sprucing up your flower beds with discount store hydrangeas is wise or if they are one of the Costco plants you might want to skip in your garden. Here is what real reviewers say about the retailer's hydrangea selection, and whether or not they're worth adding them to your shopping list on your next Costco run. 

Costco sells a couple different types of hydrangeas, ready for planting in your yard or garden, including potted shrubs. You can buy a set of two hydrangea shrubs in 3-gallon pots for $79.99 on Costco's website. They're available in two different varieties: 'Limelight' hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata) and the 'Penny Mac' (Hydrangea macrophylla 'Penny Mac') variety. According to Costco's listing, the shrubs will bloom in both the summer and the fall, and their subtle green flowers will blossom into vivid colors as the season cools down.  However, shoppers left mixed reviews regarding the potted hydrangea shrubs, and they have a mediocre satisfaction rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars. One reoccurring concern was that the plants are only available for purchase online, and when the shrubs arrived, customers were underwhelmed with their hydrangea's size, quality, and performance when transplanted. 

Costco also sells hydrangea trees that are more mature and established, but at a steeper price of $199.99 per tree. The trees have a slightly higher rating of 3.8 out of 5 stars on Costco's website, but like the shrubs, several buyers reported issues with the shipping process. While some shoppers left positive reviews, saying they were pleasantly surprised, others reported that their trees arrived dead or damaged, and that they struggled getting the tree to establish when transplanting.  There are many common hydrangea issues you should know about before growing them in your garden, and since the plant can be both expensive and finicky, it may be better to buy them from a local nursery where you have more quality control over your purchase.

Costco also sells cut hydrangeas in a variety of colors for floral arrangements or bouquets. A back of 24 hydrangea stems is available on the Costco website for $62.99, and is comes in sophisticated blue, crisp white, or multi-colored varieties. Costco members seem to have had more positive experiences with cut hydrangeas from the store compared to live plants intended to be grown outdoors. The pack of flower stems is rated 4.3 out of 5 stars in customer satisfaction across thousands of reviews. Costco's hydrangeas are also competitively priced when you compare similar products from stores like Amazon. 

Like the shrubs and trees, the fresh cut hydrangeas are also only available for online ordering from the Costco website, which could pose the same concerns regarding the delivery process. Some reviewers shared that they were very happy with the quality of the flowers that arrived and that they liked that you could schedule the delivery to coincide with special events like banquets or weddings. However, other buyers reported inconsistencies with the hydrangea's colors, or griped that their flowers arrived already wilted or had a shelf life of only a few hours before losing their charm. Overall, hydrangeas could be one of the Costco garden items that are worth your money, depending on your individual needs and expectations. However, shoppers' experiences with having the plants delivered to their home were either hit or miss, and if you're not someone who wants to risk your plant showing up dead or damaged, it may be better to take a trip to the store and explore other options in person.