Hydrangea villosa (Rough Leaf Hydrangea)

Hydrangea villosa (Rough Leaf Hydrangea) is a group of large upright deciduous shrubs with peeling bark and large, velvety, dark-green leaves. From late summer to mid-fall, attractive lacecap flower clusters, 8 in. across (20 cm), packed with mauve fertile florets surrounded by white ray flowers, bloom for several weeks. This hydrangea adds a touch of elegance to a lightly shaded border.

• Grows up to 10-12 ft. tall and wide (300-360 cm).
• Performs best in part shade in moist, but well-drained soils. Prefers sunny mornings and shady afternoons.
• Perfect for foundation plantings, shrub borders, and hedges.
• Keep an eye out for aphids, capsid bugs, and hydrangea scale.
• Blue in acidic soils, the flowers turn pink in alkaline soils. To change their color, add aluminum sulfate to the soil to make the flowers bluer or add lime to the soil to make them pinker. Treatment should occur ahead of time (late fall or early spring).
• Remove spent flowers to promote new blooms.
• Little or no pruning is required. Prune after flowering by cutting back the stems to a pair of healthy buds. Prune out weak or winter-damaged stems in early spring.
• Propagate by softwood cuttings.
• Hydrangea villosa is native to China.
• May cause mild stomach upset if ingested, and contact with foliage may aggravate skin allergies. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
• Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.