About
A deciduous, mound-forming, spreading shrub to 1m tall with large mid-green deeply lobed leaves turning deep red and purple in autumn. Dense, conical, upright flower panicles produced from mid summer to autumn are composed of large white ray florets, tinged pink as the flowers age in autumn.
About the genus
Hydrangea can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs, or self-clinging climbers, with flowers in clusters usually comprising both small fertile and more showy sterile flowers; often good autumn colour
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectNorth-facing, East-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy, Spreading branched
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants
ToxicitySkin 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
CultivationGrow 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
PruningPruning group 1
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings in early summer or hardwood cuttings in winter
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, capsid bug, hydrangea scale and vine weevils
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to a leaf spot, grey moulds, powdery mildews and honey fungus