THE LANGUAGE OF HYDRANGEAS
Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to learn about
the language of hydrangea flowers. We’re talking here about the most popular
hydrangea, known as mophead, hortensia, pompom or big leaf. Botanically,
it’s Hydrangea macrophylla.
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| Blue mophead hydrangea flowers |
Although we know this plant originated in Asia, we
also know from fossil discoveries that it existed 40-65 million years ago in
North America. But it is the Asian cultures which first gave it significance.
These meanings date back centuries when big leaf hydrangeas only came in 4
colors: pink, blue, white, and purple.
A Japanese legend associated hydrangeas with
heartfelt emotion, gratitude for understanding, and apology. It seems a Japanese
emperor felt guilty about neglecting the woman he loved in favor of business matters.
He gave hydrangeas to the family of his beloved in his quest for forgiveness
for his actions.
THE MEANING OF PINK HYDRANGEAS
Pink hydrangeas generally
mean, “You are the beat of my heart,” as described by a celebrated Asian
florist who was quoted as saying, “… The light delicate blush of the petals
reminds me of a beating heart, while the size could only match the heart of the
sender...” As a result, today in Asia pink hydrangeas can also signify heartfelt
emotion. The French make a different association. The plant blooms in June when
the weather is bright and sunny. Because of soil chemistry, pink is the
dominant color. The color and nice weather symbolize a “cheerful woman.”
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| Pink hydrangea flower |
WHAT DOES A BLUE HYDRANGEA SIGNIFY?
A blue hydrangea in Asian
culture represents perseverance. That meaning derives from the “persevering
love” displayed by a German horticulturist. In the 19th century, he was exiled
from Japan and took a blue-flowered hydrangea back to Europe to propagate. It was his way of
remembering the “persevering love” for the woman he left behind. We know the
plant today as the cultivar “Otaska.” On the other hand, there’s another
British meaning: you might give or send a blue hydrangea to refuse a love
interest.
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| Blue hydrangea flowers |
WHERE DOES A WHITE FLOWER FIT IN?
The lavish, rounded shape
of the white hydrangea flower was often connected to vanity and boastfulness in
the Victorian era. Keep in mind, though, a white flower of any sort is still
believed to signify purity and grace globally.
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| White hydrangea flower |
DON’T FORGET PURPLE HYDRANGEAS
And if someone gave you a
purple hydrangea, you might interpret that as an expression of a desire to
deeply understand you.
THE FLOWER FORM CAN ALSO CARRY MEANING
The mophead flower can be interpreted to mean good friends and relationships. That stems
from the flower petals growing so close together.
Somehow lacecap hydrangeas
got into the act. The graceful display signifies humility (in contrast to the
bodacious mophead flower) regardless of the color.
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| Lacecap hydrangea flower |
HYDRANGEAS FOR WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES
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| Fourth wedding anniversary cake |
Did you know that most
anniversaries are associated with a particular flower? Hydrangeas hold a place
of honor for the fourth wedding anniversary because of the long-lived beauty
and fullness of the flower. It’s thought to symbolize the development of a
couple’s partnership. And of course, their closeness. That concept of
closeness transfers to friendships.
ARE YOU ON SAFE GROUND WHEN YOU GIVE HYDRANGEA
FLOWERS?
It’s clear that hydrangeas
have a wide range of meanings that stem from a variety of cultures and stories.
If your recipient is aware of these meanings, you will be safer if you include
other flowers in your gift to eliminate misinterpretation.
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| Bouquet with hydrangeas and other flowers |
And you thought hydrangeas were just for adding
beauty and fragrance to your garden.
IT’S SPEAKING SEASON!
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| Speaker addresses an audience |
Next week I’ll be starting
my 20th year speaking to various organizations and groups about horticultural
subjects. The first couple of times I am in Connecticut. Then I travel to
points north and east with a mid-west radio program thrown in for good measure. Notice there are other topics besides hydrangeas as the
subject du jour.
Here are the public dates
and locations where you can see/hear me:
·
February 21,
Connecticut Flower and Garden Show, Hartford, CT; 11 a.m.: "Vegetables
Contained"; 3.30 p.m.: "Success with Hydrangeas"; https://ctflowershow.com/;
·
Feb 22: Southeastern Connecticut Home
& Garden Show, Earth Expo & Convention Center, Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, CT; 11 a.m. "Success with Hydrangeas",
·
Mar 7, Cornell Cooperative Extension
of Rensselaer County Spring Garden Day, 2 p.m.; “Smarter Gardening”, https://tinyurl.com/va43up7;
. Saturday,
March 14: I will be talking
hydrangeas on Ron Wilson’s radio show from Ohio twice on Saturday, March
14. Ron is a highly regarded plantsman and manages one of Ohio's premiere nursery/landscape
companies. He’s also the past president of the Ohio Nursery & Landscape
Association.
The first discussion will be at about 7.30 a.m. and again at about 11 a.m. To listen live or later, go to http://www.ronwilsononline.com.
If you are in the Ohio listening area and want to listen the old-fashioned
radio way, here’s what you need to know:
- First show from 6-9 a.m. is based out of
Cincinnati: 55KRC, WKRC 550AM;
- Second show from 10-12 noon is based out of
Columbus at 610 WTVN which serves most of Ohio;
- You can also download the free iHeart app to listen to any of Ron’s shows anytime from anywhere;
- Don't forget to check out Ron's latest blog posts at https://ronwilson.iheart.com/
·
Mar 18, Wellfleet Gardeners, Cape Cod ,
MA, 10 a.m. “Shrubs, The New Perennial”;
·
Mar 21, CT Master Gardeners’
Symposium, New London, CT; 11 a.m. & 1.30 p.m., “Hydrangeas for Cold
Climate Gardens”, https://ctmga.org/2020-symposium-information.
I’ll be signing and selling my best selling hydrangea book at
these events so plan to stop buy. I’d love to meet you. Tell/bring your
friends!
See you there.
