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Hydrangea
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Hydrangea

Hydrangea

Basic Details
Description
Floral Formula
Features
Translations
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Basic Details

NameHydrangea
DescriptionBeloved flowering shrub producing spectacular large, rounded or conical clusters of flowers in shades of blue, pink, white, and purple that can change color based on soil pH. Blooms appear from early summer through fall, with some varieties offering stunning autumn foliage as well. These versatile shrubs range from compact 3-foot varieties to towering 15-foot specimens, providing options for every garden from shaded borders to foundation plantings.
FamilyHydrangeaceae
GenusHydrangea
TribeN/A

Floral Formula & Features

Floral Formula⊕ ⚥ K4-5 C4-5 A8-10 G(2-5)

Radially symmetrical, bisexual (fertile flowers) or sterile, 4-5 free sepals (enlarged and petal-like in sterile flowers), 4-5 free petals (in fertile flowers), 8-10 stamens, 2-5 fused carpels with inferior ovary

Features
  • Name 'Hydrangea' derives from Greek 'hydor' (water) and 'angos' (vessel), referring to cup-shaped seed capsules and the plant's love of water. Famous for color-changing ability: blue in acidic soil (pH 5.5 or below), pink in alkaline soil (pH 6.5+), due to aluminum availability
  • Large flower clusters (corymbs or panicles) composed of two flower types: showy sterile flowers with large sepals (what we see) and small fertile flowers in center. Mophead types have all sterile flowers; lacecap types have fertile center surrounded by sterile flowers
  • Deciduous woody shrub that blooms on old wood (previous year's growth) or new wood (current season's growth) depending on species. Blooms early summer through fall. Some varieties offer brilliant red, orange, or burgundy fall foliage
  • Size varies by species: dwarf varieties 2-3 feet (60-90 cm), standard shrubs 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 m), large varieties 8-15 feet (2.4-4.5 m). Lifespan of 20-50 years or more. Propagated by softwood cuttings or division
  • Native to Asia (China, Japan, Korea, Himalayas) and North America (eastern United States). Found in moist woodland understories and along streams. Most garden varieties are Asian species or hybrids
  • Prefer partial shade to morning sun with afternoon shade. Need consistently moist, well-drained, rich soil. Water requirements high, especially during blooming. Soil pH determines flower color in some varieties. Cold hardiness varies by species (zones 3-9)
  • Excellent cut flowers lasting 1-2 weeks in water. Flowers dry beautifully for arrangements, retaining color for months. Some species used in traditional Asian medicine. Popular in Victorian gardens and still beloved for cottage gardens and formal landscapes

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificHydrangea
English (Alternate)Mophead Hydrangea, Lacecap Hydrangea, Bigleaf Hydrangea, and Hortensia
Hindiहाइड्रेंजिया (Hāiḍreñjiyā)
Tamilஹைட்ரேஞ்சியா (Haiṭrēñciyā)
Teluguహైడ్రేంజియా (Haiḍrēñjiyā)
Malayalamഹൈഡ്രേഞ്ചിയ (Haiḍrēñciya)
Kannadaಹೈಡ್ರೇಂಜಿಯಾ (Haiḍrēñjiyā)
Sanskritजलपात्रपुष्पम् (Jalapātrapuṣpam)
Bengaliহাইড্রেঞ্জিয়া (Hāiḍreñjiẏā)
Frenchhortensia
Russianгортензия (gortenziya)
Spanishhortensia
GermanHortensie

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula
% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G2

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.

Formula Sequence

  • Bract: Br or Ebr
  • Bracteole: Brl or Ebrl
  • Symmetry: % (Radial) or ⊕ (Bilateral)
  • Sex: ♀ (Female), ♂ (Male), or ⚥ (Bisexual)
  • Calyx/Sepal: K<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Corolla/Petal: C<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Androecium: A<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Gynaecium: G<number> (Superior or Inferior Ovary)

Symbol Meanings

  • Numbers: Indicate quantity of parts
  • Parentheses (): Parts are fused together
  • Plus (+): Parts in different whorls
  • Underline: Superior ovary position
  • Overline: Inferior ovary position
  • ∞: Numerous parts (too many to count)

Understanding floral formulas helps botanists quickly identify and classify flowers based on their structural characteristics.