Smooth Hydrangea, Wild Hydrangea
Native to the Eastern United States, Hydrangea arborescens (Smooth Hydrangea) is a widely branched deciduous shrub, acclaimed for its creamy-white flower clusters that brighten shady areas and bring life to the garden.
Hydrangea arborescens, also known as Smooth Hydrangea or Wild Hydrangea, is a deciduous shrub native to the United States, specifically in the eastern and southern regions.
Habit and Size: It typically grows in a rounded habit to 3-6 feet (90-180 cm) tall and as wide. The stems of the plant are quite sturdy, allowing it to maintain its shape. The bark is thin and gray-brown, often exfoliating in thin strips on mature stems.
Flowers and Blooming Season: It boasts domed to nearly rounded blossoms, which open lime-green and change to brilliant creamy white before switching to a tan shade in the fall. Unlike many other hydrangeas, the flower color of H. arborescens is not affected by soil pH.
Foliage: The leaves of this hydrangea are broad egg-shaped, sharply toothed, dark green. They turn butter-yellow shades in fall, extending the season of interest of this magnificent flowering shrub.
Blooming Season: Hydrangea arborescens typically flowers from June to September, with the exact timing depending on local conditions and the specific variety.
Hardiness: It’s hardy in USDA zones 3-8, making it adaptable to a wide range of climates. It’s more heat and cold tolerant than other hydrangea species.
Uses: This hydrangea species is used for various landscaping purposes, including border plantings, woodland gardens, or as a specimen or accent plant. Its ability to tolerate heavy pruning makes it versatile in design use.
Pollinators: The flowers attract a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies.
Toxicity: Like most hydrangeas, H. arborescens is mildly toxic if ingested. It can cause stomach upset in humans and pets.
Deer and Rabbit: Hydrangea arborescens can be appealing to deer, especially in areas where their natural food sources are scarce. Rabbits may also nibble on the plant.
There are many reasons why Hydrangea arborescens, or Smooth Hydrangea, is a worthy addition to your garden. Here are some key reasons to consider:
Versatility: With its compact size and rounded growth habit, Hydrangea arborescens fits well in a variety of garden spaces. It works beautifully in borders, woodland gardens, or as a standalone specimen.
Stunning Blooms: This hydrangea is known for its spectacular clusters of creamy white flowers, which can create a stunning visual impact in your garden from late spring to early fall. The cultivar ‘Annabelle’ is particularly impressive with its large, spherical blooms.
Tolerance and Hardiness: Hydrangea arborescens is more cold and heat tolerant than many other hydrangea species, making it a good choice for gardens in a range of climates.
Native Species: As a native plant to the United States, it can be an excellent choice for a native or wildlife garden. It’s adapted to local growing conditions and provides habitat and food for local wildlife.
Soil pH Adaptability: Unlike some other hydrangeas, the color of Hydrangea arborescens blooms is not affected by soil pH, reducing the need for soil amendments.
Pollinator Attraction: The flowers of Hydrangea arborescens attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, promoting biodiversity in your garden.
Ease of Care: This plant is relatively easy to care for, with no significant disease or pest issues. It’s also tolerant of heavy pruning, allowing you to easily control its size and shape.
Hardiness |
3 - 8 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
1 - 9 |
Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, A3 |
Plant Type | Shrubs |
Genus | Hydrangea |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Early, Mid, Late) Fall |
Height |
3' - 6' (90cm - 180cm) |
Spread |
3' - 6' (90cm - 180cm) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy |
Native Plants | Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Midwest, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Northeast, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Southeast, Southwest, Tennessee, United States, Virginia, West Virginia |
Attracts | Bees, Butterflies |
Landscaping Ideas | Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens, Patio And Containers |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden |
123RF Stock Photo, Shutterstock
Hardiness |
3 - 8 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
1 - 9 |
Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, A3 |
Plant Type | Shrubs |
Genus | Hydrangea |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Early, Mid, Late) Fall |
Height |
3' - 6' (90cm - 180cm) |
Spread |
3' - 6' (90cm - 180cm) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy |
Native Plants | Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Midwest, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Northeast, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Southeast, Southwest, Tennessee, United States, Virginia, West Virginia |
Attracts | Bees, Butterflies |
Landscaping Ideas | Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens, Patio And Containers |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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