hydrangea

American  

[hahy-dreyn-juh, -jee-uh, -dran-] / haɪˈdreɪn dʒə, -dʒi ə, -ˈdræn- /

noun

1. any shrub belonging to the genus Hydrangea, of the saxifrage family, several species of which are cultivated for their large, showy flower clusters of white, pink, or blue.

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hydrangea British  

/ haɪˈdreɪndʒə /

noun

1. any shrub or tree of the Asian and American genus Hydrangea, cultivated for their large clusters of white, pink, or blue flowers: family Hydrangeaceae

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Etymology

Origin of hydrangea

< New Latin (Linnaeus) < Greek hydr- hydr- ¹ + New Latin angea, feminine noun based on Greek angeîon vessel; so called from cup-shaped seed capsule

Example Sentences

"When we knew it was the space theme, the most iconic image that sprung to mind was an astronaut, so we thought how wonderful to make a four-metre astronaut out of roses and hydrangea."

From BBC • May 20, 2026

Just as most plants are fading at the end of the growing season, hydrangea flowers, technically long-lasting bracts, are at their best, maturing to deep blue, purple and a flight of wines.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 28, 2023

“The best way to make hydrangea last the longest is when you cut the stems, you want to put the stems — only stems — in hot water,” Sandonato said.

From Los Angeles Times • May 3, 2023

The authors cooked up a broth of bacteria that produce keanumycin and applied it to a hydrangea plant covered with the fungus Botrytis cinerea, a common blight among greenhouse crops like tomatoes and strawberries.

From New York Times • Mar. 8, 2023

Mom used to put a glass jar on its ledge with clippings from the hydrangea bush next to the garage.

From "A Soft Place to Land" by Janae Marks