Hydrangea arborescens
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Tried and True Recommended by 4 Professionals
Species Native to Missouri
Common Name: smooth hydrangea
Type: Deciduous shrub
Family: Hydrangeaceae
Zone: 3 to 9
Native Range: Eastern United States
Garden Location: Martha Love Symington Missouri Native Shade Garden, Jordan Charitable Foundation Ornamental Shade Garden and Overlook
Height: 3 to 5 feet
Spread: 3 to 5 feet
Bloom Time: June to September
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Description: White
Sun: Part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Flowers: Showy Flowers
Tolerates: Clay Soil, Dry Soil, Shallow, Rocky Soil, Wet Soil, Drought, Rabbits
Uses: Erosion Control, Rain Garden, Will Naturalize

Culture

Best grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soil in part shade. Tolerates full sun in the northern part of its range, but needs constant moisture. Intolerant of drought, with foliage tending to become significantly less attractive in dryish conditions. If left alone, this hydrangea can become somewhat weedy in appearance and can spread rapidly by root suckers to form colonies. Blooms on new wood, and in cold winter climates, it is perhaps best grown as an herbaceous perennial (e.g., cut back to 1-2' from the ground in late winter).

Noteworthy Characteristics

Smooth hydrangea is a Missouri native, deciduous shrub which typically occurs on wooded slopes, ravines, along streams and at the base of bluffs. In the wild, this shrub has a rounded habit and may reach 10' in height. In cultivation, it is frequently cut back hard in late winter, but will rapidly grow 3-5' tall in a single growing season. Features clusters of fertile flowers (few if any showy sterile flowers to give a lacecap effect) arranged in symmetrical, rounded heads (corymbs) which typically grow 4-6" across. Oval, serrate, dark green leaves (to 8" long). Blooms on new season's growth throughout the summer. Native Americans formerly used the roots of this species for various medicinal purposes.

Plant of Merit

Flattened clusters of mostly fertile, dull, white flowers appear in late spring to early summer on this Missouri native shrub. Oval, serrate, dark green leaves are attractive throughout the growing season. Best form in garden areas may be achieved by cutting back stems each year to 12 inches in late winter. If cut back, this shrub will still grow to 3-5 feet tall in a single season. This is a good selection for part shade areas of shrub borders, woodland gardens or native plant areas.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Many species of Hydrangea, including this one, are susceptible to a number of diseases including bud blight, bacterial wilt, leaf spot, rust and powdery mildew. Watch for aphids, mites, scale and nematodes.

Garden Uses

Mass or group in a part shade area of the mixed shrub border or naturalize in native plant or woodland gardens.

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