Hydrangea (hydrangea) - coldheartedness, boastfulness, heartfelt emotion
There is remarkably little to be said about the cultural history behind the hydrangea, because it is not indigenous to western Europe. The big, beautiful globes that are its flowers had been around and appreciated for centuries in eastern Asia and South America. Legend tells us of a Japanese emperor who neglected his love in lieu of matters of state, and sent her family hydrangea flowers to apologize and thank them for understanding. When Peter Collinson introduced it to Britain in 1736, however, it was ascribed a negative connotation.
Perhaps the Brits saw the pure, white flowers encircling small, blue, (in their eyes) less attractive ones in one variety of the plant and decided this flower, beautiful only on the edges, should be the symbol for coldheartedness even though the centre flowers are the only ones to be fertile. Maybe the big, full, white globes seemed like an overabundance, too much beauty in one flower to be acceptable, which consigned this egregiously gorgeous flower to be the symbol of boastfulness.
In any case, hydrangeas can be the beating hearts of any garden, the way they seem to pulsate as they are pushed and pulled by sun and wind. In a bouquet, you can substitute them for your own heart to show your sincerity of intent.
(illustration and text by Mira Gryseels)