Hydrangea are endemic to the woodlands of Eastern Asia and North and South America.
As a wild native to the east coast H. arborescens can reach upwards of 10' high by 10' spread in a very dense, lush growth pattern. The propagated versions are of a much tighter and smaller form, only reaching a rather smallish 3' to 5' high and wide. They have much more showy blooms as well, with huge bracts of non-fertile, white flowers (open flowers) covering the plant.
| Plant Types: | Interior Plant, Perennial, Shrub |
| Light: | Shade to Full Sun |
| Height: | 4 feet to 6 feet |
| Width: | 6 feet to 8 feet |
| Zones: | 4a to 9b |
| Bloom Color: | Blue, Lavender, Pink, Red, White |
| Bloom Seasons: | Late spring, Early summer, Mid summer, Late summer, Early fall |
| Leaf Color: | Green, Variegated |
| Special Features: | North American native |
| Shape: | Rounded, Spreading or horizontal |
| Fertilizer: | Miracle-Gro® Nursery Select Miracid® Water Soluble Plant Food, Chelated Iron |
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Dig a hole one foot wider and about as deep as the plant's root ball. Do not plant too deep. Roots should be visible at the surface of the soil and the top of the root ball should be even with the surrounding soil. In clay soil, the root ball should be slightly higher.
Remove plants from their containers. Place plants in hole. Loosen roots by making four or five slashes, about one-inch deep vertically down the root ball with a knife. Then tease the roots out so they will grow into the surrounding soil. Be careful not to knock too much soil from the root ball.
Back fill with a mix of existing soil and 1/2 soil amendment thoroughly mixed. In sandy porous soils, use sphagnum (Canadian) peat moss. In dense clay or poorly drained soils, use soil conditioner (finely ground pine bark).
Water thoroughly. Then only water when the soil is dry to the touch about 1 1/2 inches or knuckle deep. Check regularly and only water when necessary.
To give your new plant a head start, use a very mild solution of water soluble root-stimulating fertilizer which is high in phosphorous and potassium.
Hydrangeas can grow in a wide range of conditions. Protect them from cold drying winds.
All white blooms on H. arborescens in all of its cultivars. Nice formed dome shaped flowers that can get upwards of 1' across.
Hydrangea plants prefer ample moisture, with the pH depending on the cultivar. Species can become chlorotic if grown in alkaline soil.
Feed twice a year, once at the beginning of spring and once at the beginning of summer.
Prune in early spring, removing old wood. Remove crossing shoots, annually, to maintain a healthy framework.
Aphids and slugs can be a potential problem for Hydrangeas. Other issues include powdery mildew, ringspot virus, leaf spots, gray mold, and rust, all of which are quite common.