The new Hortensia Hydrangea Project kicked off Monday with a few new plants already taking root in the planters outside Government Center. “This project is special,” said Mayor Jasiel Correia II.

In the Northeast, where the hydrangea hysteria is taking place, the most common variety is the big-leaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla), also referred to as French hydrangea, hortensia, lacecap ...

Plant a pink hydrangea in acid soil and it may fade after a few growing seasons to washed-out blue. The hydrangea are all macrophylla cultivars. 'Parsifal,' a mophead that will turn blue in acid soil.

Hydrangea plants contain cyanogenic glycosides, which are toxic if ingested. Smokers risk poisoning themselves if excessive quantities are inhaled, as the toxins can build up quickly.