The name hydrangea comes from Greek meaning something like ‘water vessel’ or ‘water barrel’. Despite the Greek name, hydrangeas do not have any ties to Greek mythology, and were probably first seen in Japan, although they are native to several places.
Hydrangeas can have several conflicting meanings, from boastfulness to heartfelt feelings. But I have another meaning after learning something interesting about them. The leaves of the hydrangea are mildly poisonous and can sicken animals or people that eat them (silk hydrangeas do not have this problem, although I would not recommend eating your silk flowers. In fact, please do not do that). It is a beautiful, delicate flower with an intriguing shape, and yet, it is dangerous. Hydrangeas remind us that not everything is at it seems, so to me it means, ‘do not judge a book by its cover’.
Last but not least, I’ll mention that hydrangeas are the symbol of the 4th wedding anniversary. So far we’ve found out that the 12th wedding anniversary is the peony and that the 4th is the hydrangea. But please, just like with the peonies, if you tell a customer or a client that a hydrangea is the ideal flower for his or her 4th anniversary, do not say, ‘it means your significant other is pretty, but probably poisonous’. That might not set the right mood.
-Chris
Thanks to ehow for providing information about the meaning of the hydrangea. ehow can be found on the internet at www.ehow.com.
Also thanks to wikipedia for providing the basic information that it always does. Wikipedia can found on the internet at www.wikipedia.org.