THE FOLKLORE OF PLANTS: Hydrangea
Lisa Karen Miller
A Japanese emperor fell in love with a girl, but as so often happens with powerful men, he neglected her for business and duty. To show his regret, he gave blue hydrangeas to her family, so they have come to be associated with an apology in the Orient.
In Japan, this flower has long been associated with heartfelt emotion and gratitude. The pink in particular convey these sentiments, as their blooms resemble a beating heart.
Its name comes from the Greek words for water (hydros) and jar (angos). They thought the shape of the plant resembled that of a water pitcher. Also, hydrangeas are fairly thirsty specimens that require constant moisture, so the name is doubly fitting.
What we think of as petals are actually sepals, modified leaves that protect the flower bud. Native Americans used the root as a diuretic and the bark for pain relief from muscular aches and burns.
Never plant a hydrangea near your front door, or your daughters will never marry. Englishmen of the 19th century would send hydrangeas to a woman who had rejected them, silently accusing them of frigidity.
Almost all 75 species of hydrangea are native to Asia, though some fossils dating back 40 million years have been found in America. They didn’t appear in Europe until 1736, when a colonist introduced a North American variety there.
The most popular species is bigleaf (Hydrangea macrophylla). It now comes in a variety of colors, each with its own special meaning.
White symbolizes arrogance, vanity, and boasting, though it can also stand for purity and grace. Pink is the color of true feelings, which makes it popular for wedding bouquets. Purple is the hue of deep understanding and is associated with the fourth wedding anniversary. Purple is also the color of royalty and gratitude. Blue is the perfect color for an apology bouquet, while also conveying gratitude and understanding.
People have tried adding many things to the planting hole to turn hydrangea blossoms blue: indigo; broken slate tiles; and even sympathetic magic. Turns out all it takes is some white vinegar, to make the soil more acidic. This will only work on pink hydrangeas; you cannot change the color of white. Adding vinegar to blue ones makes them a deeper, truer blue. Add one cup mixed in a gallon of water to the soil (not the foliage) when the plant is in bud.
In spite of war, violence, disease, and inflation, most of us still have plenty to be grateful for this Thanksgiving. Your hostess might appreciate a bouquet of hydrangeas this year.
Just maybe not the white ones.
© Copyright 2023 Lisa Karen Miller
Folklore of Plants 
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