During a leisurely drive through the countryside, particularly through city neighborhoods, the popular flowering bush, well known as the “hydrangea”, is recognizable from landscape to flourishing landscape for their showy blooms.

Fossil evidence in North America of the hydrangea reveals their earliest beginnings date from 40 to 65 million years ago. Fossils of hydrangea have also been discovered more recently in Asia dating from around 25 mya.

The hydrangea has a long history of cultivation in Asia, particularly Japan, where they were revered as early as the 8th century. Certain varieties originating from Japan have been cultivated in western gardens since the first American species were brought from England in the early 1700’s. Today, there are around 70-75 species of Hydrangeas worldwide with over 600 named cultivars.

Tap to enlarge: Mophead Hydrangeas are so photogenic and inspiring that I have quite a collection of images in my floral photo galleries!

The big-leaf or French hydrangeas native to East Asia (Hydrangea, macrophylla) are probably the most well-known which includes three types (mophead, lacecap and mountain). They can grow quite large as you can see from the photo sample growing in my landscape, but it has plenty of space and there is no need to cut it back. It is an older variety which blooms on new wood, unlike some of the newer varieties that grow on old wood so they don’t need much prunning. I use coffee grounds to add acid to the soil which produces the lavender and blue tones in many of the blooms.

The name hydrangea comes from the Greek “hydor” meaning water, and “angos,” meaning jar or vessel for water. The need for water is great for healthy plants, no need to worry about over watering the hydrangea; note that a late afternoon drooping plant will revive soon after a dousing.

Tap to enlarge: Lacecap Hydrangeas and a Mountain Hydrangea (blue)

Another Japanese name for the hydrangea flower is “nanahenge” meaning seven transformations. Not only do hydrangea colors change according to the soil’s chemical make-up, but according to seasonal weather patterns. My hydrangea can go from pink, lavender or blue in early summer to lime-green in late summer, and then turn a crimson pink over the petal tips during fall; all very beautiful.

Limelight Hydrangea

During Japan’s (1400-1600) feudal period, the hydrangea was shunned by the warrior class because of its changing characteristics as a symbol of changing loyalties.

Today, the flower is revered in Japanese art and poetry to represent a fickle and changing heart.

Known as “Grandmother’s Old-fashioned Flower,” they became popular in Southern US landscapes.

Native American tribes used the roots for treating kidney ailments.

In the past, people have associated hydrangea flowers with understanding, purity, grace, love, and modesty. Hydrangea is considered a symbol of good nature offering warmth and electrifies the surrounding space and people with positive energy filling hearts with joy and lightness.

Left: “Smooth” Hydrangeas at Douglasville, Georgia Festival Right: “Smooth” Hydrangea home landscape

Anther popular hydrangea is a USA native species, the “smooth” or “tree” hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens) that grows quite large with huge white mophead flowers.

Festivals of Hydrangeas, to name a few, Celebrated in the USA, Asia and Europe

USA Hydrangea Festivals

Heavenly Hydrangea Event at Wedel’s in Kalamazoo, Michigan which features guided walking tours, workshops, and numerous varieties for sale, typically held in July. While not a traditional town-wide festival, it is a premier gathering for hydrangea lovers in Michigan.
Nantucket Hydrangea Festival (Massachusetts): Typically takes place in late July, featuring garden tours, an ice cream social, and hydrangea-themed art.

American Hydrangea Society Garden Tour (Georgia): An annual tour (e.g., June 6, 2026) in the Atlanta/Sandy Springs area that showcases curated, high-quality residential hydrangea gardens.
Heronswood Garden Hydrangea Festival (Washington State ): An annual event (usually July) located in Kingston, WA, that features guided tours of their extensive collection, expert lectures, and plant sales.

Japan Hydrangea Festivals

Kyoto (Mimuroto-ji Temple): Known as the “Flower Temple,” it features 20,000 hydrangeas, including rare heart-shaped ones, with beautiful evening light-ups.
Kyoto (Fujimori Shrine): Features a “Palace of Hydrangeas” garden with 3,500 plants and special early June rituals.
Mie (Kazahaya-no-Sato): A vast former golf course with 77,700 hydrangea bushes of 45 varieties, featuring footbaths and, as detailed in the Japan Travel page, a focus on social welfare.
Tokyo (Hakusan Shrine): Located near Tokyo, the Bunkyo Hydrangea Festival hosts 3,000 hydrangeas along a walking path leading to a Fujizuka mound, according to Bokksu.

South Korea Hydrangea Festivals

Taejongsa Temple Hydrangea Festival (Busan): Famous event held at a temple in Taejongdae Park, featuring thousands of bushes.
Jeju Island Festivals: Popular sites include Hueree Natural Park and Jeju Folk Village, which hold early summer hydrangea festivals.
Jangsaengpo Hydrangea Festival (Ulsan): Located in the Whale Culture Village, featuring over 30,000 hydrangea bushes.

Zhuzihu (Yangmingshan, Taiwan) Hydrangea Festival

China and Taiwan Hydrangea Festivals

Zhuzihu (Yangmingshan, Taiwan): A prominent annual festival (May–June) featuring, according to, terraced hydrangea fields and specialized flower-picking, often beginning with calla lily season.
Shanghai (China): An annual Hydrangea Festival is held in Dongshe Village, Qingpu District, showcasing various colors and varieties.
Guangzhou (China): Yunxi Botanical Garden hosts a large-scale hydrangea show during early spring (Feb–March), often featuring over 100,000 plants.

Europe Hydrangea Festivals

Bolsena Hydrangea Festival (Festa delle Ortensie) (Italy): Held from June 12–14, 2026 (annual, usually mid-June), this event in the Tuscia region features specialized nurseries, rare varieties, and floral displays along Viale Colesanti. The town, featuring a medieval center and the Palazzo del Drago, celebrates with food, wine, and scenic lake views.
Northern Spain (Galicia): While more of a regional natural phenomenon than a single festival, the hydrangea blooms in Galicia are spectacular throughout the summer, lining many country roads and coastal areas, particularly in rural and coastal villages. Festival des Hortensias (Perros-Guirec, Brittany France): Held annually in late July, this festival celebrates the iconic flower of the region with music, food, and coastal charm. Squire’s Garden Centres (Various Locations) Festivals of Hydrangeas (England): Specializing in new varieties such as ‘Quick Fire Fab’ and ‘Quick Fire Tiny Bit’.

Hydrangeas and Weddings

The photo above is my beautiful niece, Katie, who chose hydrangeas for her bouquet and to decorate her glorious outdoor tropical wedding!

Hydrangea flowers have become a big part of wedding ceremonies. The “mophead” variety is often held by the bride and the wedding party or used as beautiful decorative displays. According to the novel “Language of Fowers”, hydrangeas stand for preservation – preservation of love that lasts forever, perfect for weddings.

Hydrangeas make excellent cut flowers. Put them is water quickly once you have cut them!

Drying Hydrangeas

The time to cut and dry hydrangea mophead flowers is when the blooms turn their fall colors. They will already start to feel slightly dry on the plant. If you try to cut dry them when in the height of their summer colors, they tend to wilt before they dry. I put them in my grapevine basket and the colors last through to the following season, especially if I don’t put them in a sunny location by the window.

© 2026 Fossillady