Blue Hydrangea: Meaning & Symbolism

Flowers have traditionally been assigned meanings throughout various cultures. Knowing what a flower symbolizes can still come in handy when choosing the appropriate gift for friends, loved ones, or family members. Some flowers are best for apologies, while others are powerful symbols of love.

Our plant and flower symbolism series continues with the Blue Hydrangea meaning, so keep on reading! But remember that different colors of the same flowering plant will carry different meanings. So, what does blue hydrangea symbolize?

About Hydrangeas

Blue hydrangea, or Hydrangea macrophylla Blue, is a classic garden plant, also grown in containers on patios or porches. These lovely deciduous flowering shrubs produce clouds of attractive, globular flower clusters in hues from azure to periwinkle purple.

This flowering plant is native to eastern Asia. It’s cold-tolerant and best suited for USDA hardiness zones 5–9, although some varieties, like Hydrangea paniculata and Hydrangea arborescens, do great in hardiness zones 3–9. Blue hydrangeas thrive in bright light and require regular watering for healthy growth; keep the soil slightly moist, especially during the growing season.

Blue hydrangeas prefer to stay on the cool side, growing best in average temperatures of 60°F-70°F. If exposed to heat above 80°F, they may wilt, but will recover if you move them to a cooler spot.

These spectacular flowering shrubs are low-maintenance and will produce luxurious, long-lasting blooms with proper care. Hydrangea plants need to be kept out of your pets’ reach, as they can be toxic if ingested.

Does hydrangea color affect its meaning? Absolutely. Hydrangea blooms come in various shades of white, yellow, pink, purple, and blue, and each color is associated with a different meaning.

Blue Hydrangea: Legend & History

A common feature of temple gardens in Japan, hydrangeas are associated with a Japanese legend that gives the hydrangea flower its meaning in floral symbolism. An emperor is said to have been so engrossed in his projects that he neglected the woman he loved. To make it up to her and apologize for his lack of attention, he gave her blue hydrangeas. This is the origin of the popular hydrangea meaning of apology and heartfelt emotions.

But that’s just one aspect of hydrangea symbolism. So, what do blue hydrangeas symbolize?

Related: White Orchid: Meaning, Symbolism & Spiritual Significance 

Blue Hydrangea: Meaning and Symbolic Significance

Blue hydrangea meanings vary according to culture, historical period, and even the flower’s particular hue. Some traditional meanings are more favorable than others, allowing you to choose your own interpretation.

What Is the Meaning Behind Blue Hydrangea?

Blue hydrangeas are often associated with appreciation and heartfelt gratitude, so they make the perfect thank-you plant gift. They are also given on occasions to express regret and a sincere apology.

During the Victorian era, the language of flowers was used to convey personal messages, and books on floriography became popular, providing a concise guide to the meanings of various flowers.

What do blue hydrangeas signify? In the Victorian language of flowers, the blue hydrangea flower signifies rejection, cold-heartedness, and haughtiness. It was seen as a flower sent by rejected suitors to women who had rejected them, amounting to an indirect accusation of cruelty and vanity.

What Does the Blue Hydrangea Flower Symbolize?

What is the symbolism of blue hydrangeas? The blue hydrangea plant was prized for its unusual color, giving this flower a rich symbolic history with variations in meaning depending on the precise shade of blue. Light blue hydrangea is associated with new beginnings and innocence, while purple blue hydrangea takes on the symbolic meanings of spirituality, regret, and wisdom.

Related: Peace Lily: Meaning, Symbolism & Spiritual Significance

What Does a Blue Hydrangea Mean Spiritually in Different Cultures?

Its blue color linked hydrangeas to the sky, and by extension to spirituality in ancient cultures. The blue hydrangea's spiritual meaning varies across different countries.

So, what is the spiritual significance of the hydrangea?

• Japan: Blue hydrangea flowers were seen as a symbol of apology, forgiveness, sympathy, and heartfelt emotions in Japan. They were also associated with gratitude, sincerity, and change.
• China: The symmetrical structure of the hydrangea’s flower clusters made this flower a symbol of balance. Blue hydrangeas are also linked to spirituality and enlightenment. The hydrangea is called “The Eight Immortals” in China, referring to the legendary figures from Chinese mythology.
• Europe: During the Victorian era, the meaning of blue hydrangea transformed into one of vanity, cold-heartedness, and boastfulness, perhaps in reference to hydrangea’s huge, eye-catching flower clusters.
• North America: In modern floral symbolism, the blue hydrangea flower meaning takes on the associations with gratitude, apology, and understanding, traced back to its traditional symbolism. It is also associated with calm and serenity because of the flower’s amazing sapphire blue color.

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Hydrangea Meaning: FAQs

Q: What does it mean to gift hydrangeas?

A: Giving hydrangeas means different things depending on the flowers’ color and the particular culture you belong to. For instance, blue hydrangeas have a complex symbolism; giving blue hydrangeas can express gratefulness or a sincere apology, but the same flowers can also be seen as a symbol of vanity and frigidity.

Q: Are blue hydrangeas rare?

A: All truly blue flowers are rare in nature. In fact, less than 10% of flowers are blue. There’s an additional reason why Blue Hydrangea macrophylla is relatively rare. This plant has very specific, acidic soil requirements to maintain its sky-blue color, making blue hydrangeas quite rare.

Q: What do different colors of hydrangeas mean?

A: In modern culture, hydrangea color often determines its meaning. Blue hydrangeas symbolize apology, rejection, or gratitude; pink ones are linked to love and sincere emotions; white hydrangeas can symbolize singleness or haughtiness; purple ones signify abundance and wealth, while green hydrangea blooms are associated with health and renewal.

Q: Are blue hydrangeas romantic?

A: Yes, although they aren’t your first choice for a flower message that best conveys passionate love. Still, blue hydrangeas are associated with deep understanding, acceptance, and apology, which gives them an incredibly sweet and romantic meaning in the right context.

Q: What does the blue hydrangea mean at a wedding?

A: Blue hydrangeas carry the meaning of apology and mutual understanding and can be a powerful symbol of a couple’s overcoming of obstacles together. Their blue color symbolizes calm and peace, and is also a great way to honor the tradition of the bride carrying “something blue” for good luck. A blue hydrangea arrangement, bridal bouquet, wedding gift, or centerpiece is also perfect for sea-themed weddings.

Conclusion

Blue hydrangea symbolism can be complex, since it derives from many different cultures across the world. While in its native Japan, this flower was linked to the legend of an emperor’s sincere apology to his beloved, in Victorian England, this flowering shrub was seen as extravagant and exotic, associating it with negative meanings, like haughtiness, rejection, and boastfulness.

Combine your blue hydrangea with spectacular flowering houseplants, like the enchanting White Anthurium, the graceful Peace Lily, or glamorous Orchids, to bring the relaxing atmosphere of a flowering garden indoors!