About
This deciduous shrub typically reaches a height of 1 meter and features a compact growth form with broad, oval leaves that have a toothed edge and a glossy green appearance. From mid to late summer, it produces small, dome-shaped flower clusters that can range in color from pink to blue, influenced by the soil's pH level.
About the genus
Hydrangeas can be either deciduous or evergreen shrubs, as well as self-clinging vines. Their flowers are typically arranged in clusters that include both smaller, fertile blooms and larger, more ornamental sterile ones. Many varieties also offer notable autumn foliage.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Partial shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, North-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Coastal
- Toxicity
- Skin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets (dogs, cats): Harmful if eaten. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in any moist but well-drained soil in partial shade or grow in sun if soil remains reliably moist. Improve chalky soils with organic matter to support good growth. See shrubby hydrangea cultivation for further advice
- Pruning
- See pruning group 4 for further advice and video guide
- Propagation
- Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer, or by hardwood cuttings in winter
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to aphids, capsid bug, red spider mite, stem and bulb eelworm, vine weevil and scale insects
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to a leaf spot, powdery mildews, grey moulds (Botrytis) and honey fungus (rarely)