Hydrangea

Hydrangea

Hydrangea might not be a flower everyone knows by name, but it is a bloom they might have seen in a garden before. These flowers are known for their showy appeal, truly stunning blossoms for bouquets, floral arrangements, and house plants. Get to know the hydrangea flower below.

About Hydrangea

The hydrangea is a flowering plant from Hydrangea, a genus with 70 to 75 species that belongs to the Hydrangeaceae family. It is a bushy plant with the flower also known as hortensia or snowballs. Without a doubt, hydrangeas are interesting as they grow either with mophead or lacecap flowers. The mophead hydrangea comes with a pom-pom type of bloom, while the lacecap’s top to bottom is flatter. Hydrangea comes in a variety of colours, such as white, pink, red, blue, and purple. Even more interesting is how the colour of a hydrangea plant can change from one to another.

Scientific Name of Hydrangea

Hydrangea is the scientific name of the common hydrangea flower, which also refers to the genus. This name is derived from the Greek “hydria,” which means “water vessel,” referencing the shape of the flower’s seed capsules. The other name, “Hortensia,” is Latin of Hortense, in honour of the French mathematician and astronomer Nicole-Reine Hortense Lepaute.

Origin and History

Hydrangea is native to the Americas and parts of eastern and southern Asia, mainly in China, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, and the Himalayas. In Japan, some types of hydrangeas are used in tea. In Korea, the flower is also sometimes used in a tea brew served in ceremonial events. However, in England, the hydrangea plant is mainly cultivated in ornamental gardens.

Symbolism and Meaning

In general, hydrangea symbolizes grace, beauty, and gratitude. Because of the lavish amount of blossoms a hydrangea plant has, it also aptly represents abundance. There’s also a Japanese legend associated with hydrangea, which gave it the meaning “apology.” Boastfulness and vanity are also linked with the flower because they produce stunning flowers with very few seeds.

Arrangements

Hydrangea is often cut as part of bouquets and floral arrangements, particularly for weddings. The flower is also usually used for floral displays as wedding centrepieces or decorations. They’re especially great for occasions with a rustic or elegant theme.