Hydrangea Meaning & Symbolism by Colour
Hydrangeas have a very special ability to immediately lift someone’s spirits. It’s true! We always feel happier when looking at the round, magnificent hydrangea blooms. The perfect summer flower, hydrangeas come in a variety of different colours and can make any bouquet look super luxurious.
Here, we’re going to explore the history, symbolism and colour meanings of the hydrangea flower. We’ll even throw in some fun facts at the end that we bet you didn’t know before!
Where did the hydrangea come from?
It’s well known that the hydrangea was first cultivated in Japan. And throughout history, they’ve had a lot of significance in Japanese culture. But, in North America, hydrangea fossils from around 40-65 million years ago were also found! So, it’s native to both Asia and the Americas.
How did the hydrangea get its name?
The name hydrangea originated from Latin because a botanist, Grovonius, thought the shape of the flower looked like an ancient water pitcher. So, he combined the words ‘hydro’, which means water and ‘angeion’, which means a barrel or pitcher, and came up with hydrangea. Since hydrangeas need a lot of water to survive, the name seemed to be a perfect fit!
Another common name for the hydrangea is hortensia. There’s a bit of a mystery surrounding this name as some believe that a French botanist named the flower after a woman rumoured to be his mistress. But, there were also speculations from the upper class that he named it after the daughter of a prince, who he met during a botanical expedition.
What do hydrangeas symbolise?
In brief: The meaning of hydrangeas varies culturally. In Japan, they signify heartfelt emotion and apology, while in Europe, they symbolise arrogance and vanity, with a historical belief linking them to singlehood.
The meaning of hydrangeas will depend on who you ask. In Japanese culture, they are associated with heartfelt emotion, gratitude and apology. This is because, according to legend, a Japanese emperor gave a bunch of hydrangeas to the family of the girl he loved, to apologise for neglecting her, to focus on his work instead, and to show how much he really cared for her.
But, in Europe, they have a slightly darker meaning as they symbolise arrogance. With their large petals and eye-catching shape, some tied their meaning to vanity and boastfulness too. And, interestingly, during Medieval times, people believed that women who grew or kept hydrangea would not be able to find a spouse.
Thankfully, times have changed, and people don’t generally think that hydrangeas are the reason someone is single. Ironically, they’re now actually used a lot in anniversary flowers and bouquets.
Do different colour hydrangeas have different meanings?
In today’s culture, the meaning of hydrangeas very much depends on the colour. So, if you’re thinking of giving someone a hydrangea bouquet, make sure you know what each different colour means! Here, we’ve listed some of the most popular hydrangea colours and their meaning to help you.
Pink hydrangeas
Pink hydrangeas are the most romantic of them all as they symbolise love and sincere emotions. They’re perfect to give to someone you’ve recently started dating or have been in a long term relationship with. Because of their unique appearance, they’re also sometimes associated with the resemblance of a beating heart.
White hydrangeas
Like most white flowers, white hydrangeas symbolise purity, grace and abundance. This makes them the perfect flower to decorate a wedding venue with or to give as a new baby gift. Some people think white hydrangeas also represent bragging though, so you might want to be a little careful with who you give them to.
Blue hydrangeas
Blue hydrangeas have a meaning of forgiveness, rejection and regret. So, while they may be super pretty, they don’t have the happiest meaning. We’ve all been in an argument with someone and said something we’ve immediately regretted, and if you’re looking to apologise, then blue hydrangeas are a great starting point.
Purple hydrangeas
Purple hydrangeas signify wealth, royalty and abundance so if you know someone who recently got a promotion or a pay-rise, say congratulations with flowers. Or send purple hydrangeas to that extra special person who you think deserves to wear a crown.
Green hydrangeas
Most of the time, green flowers have a meaning of renewal and rebirth. But, green hydrangeas also represent good fortune, good health, youthfulness and prosperity. These flowers are great to give to someone who needs a fresh start and positive energy in their life.
Facts about hydrangeas!
How many of these hydrangea facts did you know?
If growing hydrangeas in your garden, you can change the colour from pink to blue by increasing the acidity of the soil.
Hydrangeas are usually given on the 4th wedding anniversary to symbolise appreciation.
They’re toxic to pets and can give your dogs and cats an upset tummy. People also shouldn’t eat them either.
They bloom from early spring to late autumn.
There are hydrangea fan clubs all over the world.
They can grow to be up to 29 metres tall.
Want to learn more about floriography? Have a read of our article all about the language of flowers.
Also, make sure you browse through our spring flowers collection to brighten up your home with or give to a friend!
Uses for Hydrangea
With their colourful blooms, hydrangeas make your outdoor space look fantastic as borders or potted plants. You can even use them indoors for pretty flower arrangements or crafts. But guess what? The hydrangea serrata can also make delicious tea. Plus, hydrangeas are very popular for weddings, adding romance to bouquets and decorations. Just remember, not all hydrangeas are for sipping. Some are just for looking at. So, before you start brewing, make sure you've got the right kind.
