About
Hydrangea aspera, the rough-leaved hydrangea, is an erect, deciduous shrub to 3 m with softly hairy, lance-shaped leaves to 25 cm long and flat lacecap flowerheads with purple fertile flowers surrounded by ornamental white, pink or purple outer sterile florets in late summer. A bold and impressive hydrangea for a sheltered, moist, partly shaded garden.
About the genus
Hydrangea are deciduous or evergreen shrubs, or self-clinging climbers, with flowers in clusters usually comprising both small fertile and larger, showier sterile florets. They are grown for their dramatic and long-lasting flowerheads and often good autumn colour.
Plant details
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moist but well-drained, fertile soil in partial shade to full sun. Mulch annually with well-rotted organic matter. See hydrangea cultivation
PruningPruning depends on type. Remove spent flower heads in spring. See hydrangea pruning
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings in spring or semi-ripe cuttings in summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to vine weevil, aphids and capsid bugs
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildew and honey fungus