Scientific Name
Hydrangea arborescens L.
Common Name(s)
Smooth Hydrangea, Wild Hydrangea, Sevenbark
Synonym(s)
Hydrangea acuta, Hydrangea amplifolia, Hydrangea arborescens var. arborescens, Hydrangea arborescens f. arborescens, Hydrangea arborescens subsp. arborescens
Scientific Classification
Family: Hydrangeaceae
Genus: Hydrangea
Origin
Hydrangea arborescens is native to the eastern United States.
Flower
Color: White
Bloom Time: May to July
Description
Hydrangea arborescens is a loosely and widely branched deciduous shrub that typically grows up to 6 feet (1.8 m) tall. The gray-brown stems are clad with opposite dark green leaves with pale green undersides. Leaves are broadly egg-shaped to rounded, sharply toothed, up to 6 inches (15 cm) long, and turn yellow in the fall.
Tiny white fertile flowers appear from May to July in flattened hairy clusters. Scattered continuing flowering may occur throughout summer to September. A few large sterile flowers usually appear at the cluster margins.

Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 3a to 9b: from −40 °F (−40 °C) to 30 °F (−1.1 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Hydrangeas prefer a sunny or semi-shaded position in a cool area of the garden with shelter from cold, drying winds. For this reason, they are especially useful for brightening up shaded borders and make a lovely feature in the dappled shade of woodland gardens. Avoid hot sunny areas and east-facing spots where the cold winds can damage the spring growth.
Grow Hydrangea plants in any rich fertile, moist soil. It's a good idea to work in some well-rotted manure or compost before planting Hydrangeas. They will always appreciate a mulch of organic matter in spring to help conserve moisture at their roots and feed them up for the coming growing season. On light soils, it is a good idea to feed Hydrangeas with an ericaceous fertilizer.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Hydrangeas.
Cultivars
Links
- Back to genus Hydrangea
- Plantpedia: Browse flowering plants by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, or Origin
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