Hydrangea macrophylla syn. Hydrangea hortensis; Hydrangea opuloides 'Laciniata'
Bigleaf Hydrangea, Florist's Hydrangea
Type Shrub, woody plant
Hardy range 5B to 9A
Height 4' to 6' / 1.20m to 1.80m
Spread 6' to 8' / 1.80m to 2.40m
Growth rate Average
Form Rounded
Exposure Full shade to partial sun
Persistence Deciduous
Bloom Color Blue, pink and white
Bloom Time Spring and Summer
Environment This plant tolerates some drought, occasional wetness and some salt.
This plant will grow in dry to occasionally wet soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to slightly alkaline (less than 6.8 to 7.7) soil.
Leaf Color Green
Fall Color No change in fall color
Hydrangea macrophylla syn. Hydrangea hortensis; Hydrangea opuloides 'Domotoi'
Bigleaf Hydrangea, Florist's Hydrangea
Type Shrub, woody plant
Hardy range 5B to 9A
Height 36" to 4' / 90cm to 1.20m
Spread 6' to 8' / 1.80m to 2.40m
Growth rate Average
Form Rounded
Exposure Full shade to partial sun
Persistence Deciduous
Bloom Color Blue and pink
Bloom Time Spring and Summer
Environment This plant tolerates some drought, occasional wetness and some salt.
This plant will grow in dry to occasionally wet soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to slightly alkaline (less than 6.8 to 7.7) soil.
Leaf Color Green
Fall Color No change in fall color
Culture Notes Since the deciduous Bigleaf Hydrangea blooms on large buds formed on previous season's growth, any pruning should be done immediately after flowering. Cultivars are available in shades or pink, white and blue. Long popular as a florist's plant, Bigleaf Hydrangea performs well in moist, rich garden soil in partial sun to fairly deep shade, where it can grow 4 to 8 feet tall. Be sure that tree roots are not competing with the roots, since this will slow growth dramatically. Flowers are bluish in acid soil, pink in neutral. Pollen can cause slight allergy symptoms.
Colors indicated for blue cultivars are for acid soil conditions; they appear pink or lavender in neutral or alkaline soil.
Hydrangea macrophylla syn. Hydrangea hortensis; Hydrangea opuloides 'Tokyo Delight'
Bigleaf Hydrangea, Florist's Hydrangea
Type Shrub, woody plant
Hardy range 5B to 9A
Height 4' to 6' / 1.20m to 1.80m
Spread 6' to 8' / 1.80m to 2.40m
Growth rate Average
Form Rounded
Exposure Full shade to partial sun
Persistence Deciduous
Bloom Color White and yellow
Bloom Time Spring and Summer
Environment This plant tolerates some drought, occasional wetness and some salt.
This plant will grow in dry to occasionally wet soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to slightly alkaline (less than 6.8 to 7.7) soil.
Leaf Color Green
Fall Color No change in fall color
Culture Notes Since the deciduous Bigleaf Hydrangea blooms on large buds formed on previous season's growth, any pruning should be done immediately after flowering. Cultivars are available in shades or pink, white and blue. Long popular as a florist's plant, Bigleaf Hydrangea performs well in moist, rich garden soil in partial sun to fairly deep shade, where it can grow 4 to 8 feet tall. Be sure that tree roots are not competing with the roots, since this will slow growth dramatically. Flowers are bluish in acid soil, pink in neutral.
Colors indicated for blue cultivars are for acid soil conditions; they appear pink or lavender in neutral or alkaline soil.
Hydrangea serrata syn. Hydrangea japonica; Hydrangea macrophylla ssp. serrata 'Preziosa'
Sawtooth Hydrangea, Hydrangea, Mountain Hydrangea
Type Shrub, woody plant
Hardy range 5B to 9A
Height 4' to 5' / 1.20m to 1.60m
Spread 6' to 10' / 1.80m to 3.00m
Growth rate Average
Form Rounded
Exposure Full shade to partial sun
Persistence Deciduous
Bloom Color Pink
Bloom Time Spring and Summer
Environment This plant tolerates some drought and occasional wetness.
This plant will grow in dry to occasionally wet soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to slightly alkaline (less than 6.8 to 7.7) soil.
Leaf Color Green, purple and variegated
Fall Color No change in fall color
Culture Notes Since the deciduous Hydrangea blooms on large buds formed on previous season's growth, any pruning should be done immediately after flowering. Cultivars are available in shades or pink, white and blue. Long popular as a florist's plant, Hydrangea performs well in moist, rich garden soil in partial sun to fairly deep shade, where it can grow 4 to 8 feet tall. Be sure that tree roots are not competing with the roots, since this will slow growth dramatically. Flowers are bluish in acid soil, pink in neutral. Prune after flowering (if needed) because flower buds for next years display form soon after flowering in the current year.
Colors indicated for blue cultivars are for acid soil conditions; they appear pink or lavender in neutral or alkaline soil.
Planting and establishing shrubsThe most common cause of young plant failure is planting too deep. Plant the root ball no deeper than it was in the nursery. In most instances, the root flare zone (point where the top-most root in the root ball originates from the trunk) should be located just above the landscape soil surface. Sometimes plants come from the nursery with soil over the root flare. If there is soil over this area, scrape it off. The planting hole should be at least twice the width of the root ball, preferably wider. In all but exceptional circumstances where the soil is very poor, there is no need to incorporate anything into the backfill soil except the loosened soil that came out of the planting hole. Never place ANY soil over the root ball. If a row or grouping of plants is to be installed, excavating or loosening the soil in the entire bed and incorporating organic matter enhances root growth and establishment rate.
Weed suppression during establishment is essential. Apply a 3-inch thick layer of mulch around the plant to help control weed growth. Keep it at least 10 inches from the trunk. If you apply it over the root ball, apply only a one or two inch layer. This allows rainwater and air to easily enter the root ball and keeps the trunk dry. Placing mulch against the trunk or applying too thick a layer above the root ball can kill the plant by oxygen starvation, death of bark, stem and root diseases, prevention of hardening off for winter, vole and other rodent damage to the trunk, keeping soil too wet, or repelling water. Regular irrigation through the first growing season after planting encourages rapid root growth, which is essential for quick plant establishment.
Hydrangea paniculata 'Pee Wee'
Panicle Hydrangea, Hybrid Hydrangea, PeeGee Hydrangea
Type Shrub, woody plant
Hardy range 3B to 8A
Height 6' to 15' / 1.80m to 4.60m
Spread 6' to 10' / 1.80m to 3.00m
Growth rate Average
Form Vase shaped
Exposure Partial shade or partial sun to full sun
Persistence Deciduous
Bloom Color White
Bloom Time Summer
Environment This plant tolerates some drought.
This plant will grow in dry soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to slightly alkaline (less than 6.8 to 7.7) soil.
Leaf Color Green
Fall Color Yellow
Culture Notes Panicle Hydrangea should be grown in full sun or partial shade on well-drained, moist, loamy soil. Plants flower best in sun. The upright, spreading branches often bend down with the weight of the blooms, and the brown, faded blooms should be removed in late September to keep the tree from looking unkempt. If unpruned some people object to the pinkish brown fruits and old flowers which hang on to the tree during the winter. Pruning also is suggested to keep the plant to a consistent, neat shape. Lower branches can be pruned to clean up the bottom of the plant and make it grow into a multi-stemmed tree. Flowers emerge white and turn pink.
This plant is considered mostly allergy free and causes little or no allergy problems in most people.
Planting and establishing shrubsThe most common cause of young plant failure is planting too deep. Plant the root ball no deeper than it was in the nursery. In most instances, the root flare zone (point where the top-most root in the root ball originates from the trunk) should be located just above the landscape soil surface. Sometimes plants come from the nursery with soil over the root flare. If there is soil over this area, scrape it off. The planting hole should be at least twice the width of the root ball, preferably wider. In all but exceptional circumstances where the soil is very poor, there is no need to incorporate anything into the backfill soil except the loosened soil that came out of the planting hole. Never place ANY soil over the root ball. If a row or grouping of plants is to be installed, excavating or loosening the soil in the entire bed and incorporating organic matter enhances root growth and establishment rate.
Weed suppression during establishment is essential. Apply a 3-inch thick layer of mulch around the plant to help control weed growth. Keep it at least 10 inches from the trunk. If you apply it over the root ball, apply only a one or two inch layer. This allows rainwater and air to easily enter the root ball and keeps the trunk dry. Placing mulch against the trunk or applying too thick a layer above the root ball can kill the plant by oxygen starvation, death of bark, stem and root diseases, prevention of hardening off for winter, vole and other rodent damage to the trunk, keeping soil too wet, or repelling water. Regular irrigation through the first growing season after planting encourages rapid root growth, which is essential for quick plant establishment.
Hydrangea macrophylla syn. Hydrangea hortensis; Hydrangea opuloides
'Generale Vicomtesse de Vibraye'
Bigleaf Hydrangea, Florist's Hydrangea
Type Shrub, woody plant
Hardy range 5B to 9A
Height 4' to 6' / 1.20m to 1.80m
Spread 6' to 8' / 1.80m to 2.40m
Growth rate Average
Form Rounded
Exposure Full shade to partial sun
Persistence Deciduous
Bloom Color Blue, lavender and pink
Bloom Time Spring and Summer
Environment This plant tolerates some drought, occasional wetness and some salt.
This plant will grow in dry to occasionally wet soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to slightly alkaline (less than 6.8 to 7.7) soil.
Leaf Color Green
Fall Color No change in fall color
Culture Notes Since the deciduous Bigleaf Hydrangea blooms on large buds formed on previous season's growth, any pruning should be done immediately after flowering. Cultivars are available in shades or pink, white and blue. Long popular as a florist's plant, Bigleaf Hydrangea performs well in moist, rich garden soil in partial sun to fairly deep shade, where it can grow 4 to 8 feet tall. Be sure that tree roots are not competing with the roots, since this will slow growth dramatically. Flowers are bluish in acid soil, pink in neutral. Pollen can cause slight allergy symptoms.
Hydrangea macrophylla syn. Hydrangea hortensis; Hydrangea opuloides 'Taube'
Bigleaf Hydrangea, Florist's Hydrangea
Type Shrub, woody plant
Hardy range 5B to 9A
Height 4' to 6' / 1.20m to 1.80m
Spread 6' to 8' / 1.80m to 2.40m
Growth rate Average
Form Rounded
Exposure Full shade to partial sun
Persistence Deciduous
Bloom Color Lavender and purple
Bloom Time Spring and Summer
The flowers are very showy, suitable for cut flowers and suitable for dried flowers.
Environment This plant tolerates some drought, occasional wetness and some salt.
This plant will grow in dry to occasionally wet soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to slightly alkaline (less than 6.8 to 7.7) soil.
Leaf Color Green
Fall Color No change in fall color
Culture Notes Since the deciduous Bigleaf Hydrangea blooms on large buds formed on previous season's growth, any pinching to create more branches should be done immediately after flowering. Cultivars are available in shades or pink, white and blue. Long popular as a florist's plant, Bigleaf Hydrangea performs well in moist, rich garden soil in partial sun to fairly deep shade, where it can grow 4 to 6 feet tall. Although it is best to add lots of organic matter to the bed before planting, I (Dr. Gilman) have had great success with planting in a fine sand soil without amendments. Be sure that tree roots are not competing with the roots, since this will slow growth dramatically and minimize flowering. Flowers are bluish in acid soil, pink closer to neutral. Late winter freezes can kill flower buds in zones 7 and 8.
Colors indicated for blue cultivars are plants grown in acid soil conditions; they appear pink or lavender in neutral or alkaline soil. The best plants I have seen were in cool moist regions of the world like England and the Pacific northwest. 'Endless Summer' is a new introduction by Bailey Nursery that looks as though it flowers repeatedly through the summer. Foliage is poisonous if ingested causing nausea and vomiting.
Planting and establishing shrubsThe most common cause of young plant failure is planting too deep. Plant the root ball no deeper than it was in the nursery. In most instances, the root flare zone (point where the top-most root in the root ball originates from the trunk) should be located just above the landscape soil surface. Sometimes plants come from the nursery with soil over the root flare. If there is soil over this area, scrape it off. The planting hole should be at least twice the width of the root ball, preferably wider. In all but exceptional circumstances where the soil is very poor, there is no need to incorporate anything into the backfill soil except the loosened soil that came out of the planting hole. Never place ANY soil over the root ball. If a row or grouping of plants is to be installed, excavating or loosening the soil in the entire bed and incorporating organic matter enhances root growth and establishment rate.
Weed suppression during establishment is essential. Apply a 3-inch thick layer of mulch around the plant to help control weed growth. Keep it at least 10 inches from the trunk. If you apply it over the root ball, apply only a one or two inch layer. This allows rainwater and air to easily enter the root ball and keeps the trunk dry. Placing mulch against the trunk or applying too thick a layer above the root ball can kill the plant by oxygen starvation, death of bark, stem and root diseases, prevention of hardening off for winter, vole and other rodent damage to the trunk, keeping soil too wet, or repelling water. Regular irrigation through the first growing season after planting encourages rapid root growth, which is essential for quick plant establishment.
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