Hydrangeas have been found in fossils from over 45 million years ago, making them nearly as old as dinosaurs. They were first cultivated in Japan and didn’t appear in Europe until they were brought over in 1736. But they are now grown across the globe – including Australia. Most species of the flower have no fragrance whatsoever. The flowers produce very sticky pollen, which means the wind has a hard time blowing it around. This means that they’re often a great flower for people with pollen allergies, both in the vase and garden. Today, the colours of a Hydrangea are also said to have different meanings; Blue is used for apologies or gratitude, white symbolises purity, purple and red signify romance and true love, and pink represents pride. Hydrangeas are moderately toxic when eaten, but have been used medicinally for a long time - In fact, they were used by the Cherokees and Buddhist monks in cleansing rituals. You can change the hydrangea’s color with one simple thing: the soil the plant is growing in. The soil’s pH level will determine the color of the hydrangea bloom. A more acidic soil (pH zero to seven) will create a bluer bloom, while a more alkaline soil (pH seven to fourteen) will create pinker flowers. They like to be submerged in water - if you notice your hydrangea starting to wilt, even if it seems like the stem has plenty of water to drink, try to place it in a clean container, filled with water all the way up top (except for the blooms, of course). Make sure you give it a fresh cut first!
