Hydrangeas have long been a favorite flower of gardeners everywhere. These shrubs love water and cool, shaded areas. I just planted my first hydrangea over the weekend, and I can’t wait to see it grow! In honor of this momentous occasion, I did some research and have come up with the top 8 amazing hydrangea facts every plant lover should know! Go ahead and check out this list, and see if we missed anything!

Color Change

The flowers of a hydrangea are determined by the soil’s pH. You can change the color of the flowers by adjusting acidity and alkalinity. For blue flowers, have acidic soils with pH levels of 5.5 or lower. For pink, you’ll want more alkaline soil with pH levels of 6.5 or higher.

Extended Vase Life

Hydrangeas are notoriously finicky once they’ve been snipped. They can wilt without warning almost immediately. You can prevent wilting by placing them in water right away, and then recutting the stems and soaking them in a cup of boiling water for 30 seconds before placing them back in the vase.

Language of Flowers

In the language of flowers, hydrangeas symbolize gratitude and hearflet emotions. Because of their deep meaning, delicate beauty, and sweet fragrance, these flowers are a popular choice for wedding boquets.

Hydrangea Day

Hydrangea Day is celebrated on January 5th! Unfortunately, these flowers are out of season in January, but you can stop by your local florist and get some imported stems to remind you that spring will come soon, and you’ll have fresh hydrangeas soon!

Most Popular

There are about 70 species of hydrangeas in total, but only 5 are cultivated in the U.S. The most popular hydrangea by far, is the macrophylla, also known as Bigleaf, French, Darden, or Florist’s Hydrangea.

Don’t Eat Them!

While these flowers may smell sweet, don’t be tempted to eat them! Hydrangeas are mildly toxic. Parts of the bud, leaves, and flowers can be broken down to produce cyanide. However, in order for the poison to have any effect, you’d need to ingest quite a large quantity of leaves and flowers.

Origin Story

Hydrangeas were originally discovered in Japan. They got their meaning of heartfelt emotion from a Japanese emperor who gave them to the family of the girl he loved to apologize for neglecting her in favor of a business deal.

Celebrity Love

Blake Lively used hydrangeas in her wedding bouquet, and Lana Del Ray gave a shout out to hydrangeas in her song, “Old Money.” Madonna has had a love/hate relationship with hydrangeas, but I’m sure in time she’ll come to love them as much as I do!