Hydrangea

Hydrangea, Hortensia

Message of the Flower

Collective Harmony

The Mother’s Comment

Collective harmony is the work undertaken by the Divine Consciousness; it alone has the power to realise it.

Spiritual Message by the Mother/ Quotes by Sri Aurobindo

For all problems of existence are essentially problems of harmony. They arise from the perception of an unsolved discord and the instinct of an undiscovered agreement or unity. To rest content with an unsolved discord is possible for the practical and more animal part of man, but impossible for his fully awakened mind, and usually even his practical parts only escape from the general necessity either by shutting out the problem or by accepting a rough, utilitarian and unillumined compromise. For essentially, all Nature seeks a harmony, life and matter in their own sphere as much as mind in the arrangement of its perceptions.

Sri Aurobindo, The Life Divine - I: The Human Aspiration

This manifestation of beauty and harmony is part of the Divine realisation upon earth, perhaps even its greatest part.

The Mother, Questions and Answers 1929 - 1931: 28 July 1929

Colour

White, pink, lavender, purple, red, or blue

Family

Hydrangeaceae

Cultivars

Numerous, including 'Endless Summer', 'Nikko Blue', 'Limelight', 'Annabelle'

Person who named the flower

Carl Linnaeus

Flower Size

Can vary widely, from small to large blooms depending on the species and cultivar

Flower Texture

Papery, sometimes waxy

Number of Petals

Varies; can be multiple petals per flower in both single and double forms

Floral Symmetry

Mostly radial

Fragrance of Flower

Generally, hydrangeas have little to no fragrance, but some species may have a mild scent

Leaf Texture

Smooth, sometimes glossy

Leaf Arrangement

Opposite

Leaf Color

Green, with some cultivars having variegated or red-tinged leaves

Structural Variation (Shrub or Tree)

Mostly shrubs, with some species capable of becoming small trees

Life Cycle

Perennial

Blooming Period

Late spring to early fall, varying by species

Climate

Temperate to subtropical

Water Requirements

Moderate to high; prefers consistently moist soil

Soil Type

Prefers well-drained, moist soil; soil pH affects flower color in some species

Temperature Ranges

Varies by species; some are hardier than others

Sun or Shade

Prefers partial shade, though some species tolerate full sun

Susceptibility to Insects and Diseases

Susceptible to aphids, mites, powdery mildew, and leaf spot

Pollinators

Attracts bees and other pollinators

Habitat

Native to Asia and the Americas; widely cultivated in gardens worldwide

Role in the Ecosystem

Provides nectar for pollinators; ornamental use in landscaping

Ornamental

Widely used in gardens and landscaping for its showy flowers and foliage

Uses in Other Aspects of Life

Mainly ornamental

Endangered Status

Not generally endangered, but conservation of natural habitats is important

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