Move Over Wisteria! Bridgerton Season 4 Just Sparked a New Romantic Garden Obsession
Benedict and Sophie’s moonlit waltz, drifting through clouds of soft white blooms, has become an instant Bridgerton classic – and it’s sent gardeners into a full-blown obsession with white hydrangeas.
If the first season of Bridgerton made wisteria the must-have climber for romantic gardens everywhere, the fourth season is already casting another floral spell: white hydrangeas.
Oh yes, the much-anticipated fourth season of the hit Netflix series – following renegade Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) and his Cinderella-style romance with Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha) – has gardeners particularly enthralled.
And how could it not? Just that one moonlit shot of Benedict pressing a kiss to Sophie’s wrist, surrounded by cascades of creamy white blooms, exudes romance, elegance and that unmistakable Regency charm. The kind that all but guarantees a wave of garden inspiration to follow.
All Hail White Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas have long been cherished for their dramatic blooms, which can range from soft pastels to deep, moody tones. White hydrangeas, however, carry a particularly timeless elegance.
In the Regency era, white blooms were often used in formal gardens for their romantic appeal. And the rounded heads of a hydrangea easily conjures up images of moonlit soirées, secret glances across garden paths, and quiet, intimate moments – aka the exact aesthetic Bridgerton is famous for.
Watch the trailer for Bridgerton’s fourth season below:
Now, to modern eyes, the billowing white blooms framing Benedict and Sophie’s moonlit dance look strikingly like smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens): soft, cloud-like, and instantly romantic.
Here’s where it gets interesting, because, while this is a US native plant, they may not have been a Regency garden staple... but that is exactly why they work so well on screen.
After all, Bridgerton has always delighted in bending history to heighten feeling, using contemporary visual language to make its love stories feel lush, intimate and emotionally immediate, right?
This absolutely stunning white hydrangea would make a dreamy and romantic addition to any garden.
It may not have the same spherical blooms as those white flowers seen in Bridgerton season 4, but this hydrangea is still a beauty.
If any hydrangea fits Regency England at all, it would be Hydrangea macrophylla – but it would have been rare, exotic, and not a mainstream garden plant.
Unlike wisteria, which can be demanding and slow to establish, white hydrangeas are relatively easy to grow in many U.S. climates. Varieties like Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ or Hydrangea paniculata seen above are hardy in USDA zones 3-9, bloom reliably each year, and offer large, creamy flower clusters that can transform borders, container plantings, or cottage-style gardens.
Better still, their voluminous flower heads look magical under soft garden lighting, evoking that cinematic moonlit moment from Bridgerton's fourth season. Especially if you mix in foliage plants with contrasting textures, such as ferns or boxwoods, to enhance depth and visual interest.
To truly echo the Bridgerton, take care to pair your new diamond of the season with flowers that nod to Regency colour palettes: think soft lilacs, delicate violets, pale pink peonies, and an abundance of romantic roses. The key is balance: you want dramatic, lush blooms set against clean greenery, creating an elegant backdrop for quiet contemplation or evening garden parties.
Whatever you decide, rest assured that embracing white hydrangeas means combining history, horticulture, and a touch of pop culture magic. Plant them now, and by late spring or early summer, your garden could be transformed into a romantic retreat worthy of its own Bridgerton moment. Moonlight and masks optional, but highly recommended.
