Culture
Grow in peaty, moist but well-drained soils in part shade. Best sited in sheltered locations protected from strong winds.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Cardiandra alternifolia, commonly called cardiandra, is a rhizomatous, deciduous subshrub that typically grows to 16-28” tall and as wide. It is native to alpine forest areas in Japan. Synonymous with and once called Hydrangea alternifolia, however hydrangeas have opposite leaves and cardiandras have alternate leaves. Inflorescence is a corymbose cyme containing white fertile flowers surrounded by a few showy pink, marginal, sterile ones. Flowers bloom July-September. Flowers resemble those of lace cap hydrangeas. Coarsely-toothed, elliptic to oblong-ovate, undivided, hydrangea-like, dark green leaves (to 4-6” long).
Genus name comes from the Greek word kardia meaning heart and andros meaning male in purported reference to the shape of the stamens.
Specific epithet from Latin is in reference to the alternate leaves of this plant.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems.
Uses
Best in part shade areas of borders, rock gardens or woodland gardens.