Hydrangea nomenclature

Dick Bir
NC State University

If you are confused by the nomenclature of bigleaf hydrangeas, don't apologize. There is good reason for the confusion.

There are generally two flower types. The flower heads covered with what appear to be flowers with big petals (even though they are not petals) are called hortensias or mopheads. The flower heads that look like lace doilies with tiny flowers in the middle surrounded by what appear to be flowers with large petals are called lacecaps.

When it comes to species, they are all part of the genus Hydrangea. However, there has been disagreement among experts as to which ones are actually a separate species. The most popularly accepted classification is that Hydrangea macrophylla var macrophylla are the mopheads of the type known as French or Florist hydrangeas. Hydrangea macrophylla var. normalis are the lacecaps of this group. There is also another group of bigleaf hydrangeas which are alleged to be hardier, called the mountain hydrangeas by some. These are Hydrangea macrophylla ssp. serrata but are also frequently listed as Hydrangea serrata.

This is all a subject of much discussion with many fine points to be made. I have lumped them together and called them bigleaf hydrangeas here. Those wishing to argue nomenclature and who know the REAL truth, please argue it with someone else.

Return to Richard E. Bir homepage
North Carolina State University