Gerald L. Klingaman
Family
Hydrangeaceae
Botanical Name
Hydrangea arborescens
Plant Common Name
Smooth Hydrangea
General Description
There is no better shrub for woodland gardens. The resilient and beautiful smooth hydrangea is a deciduous shrub native to the forests of the eastern United States. In the wild, it has a more rangy, open habit, but once nurtured in a garden setting it is elegant and lovely, especially forms with large, sterile mophead flower clusters.
Large, oval, coarsely serrated leaves of medium to dark green cover smooth hydrangea throughout the warm season and turn shades of lemon yellow and brown in fall. The yellow color seems to be better when fall temperatures are warmer and cool more slowly. In summer, dense, rounded flower clusters appear at the stem tips. The fertile flowers are small, prolific and occasionally surrounded by showy, sterile flowers (with white tepals) along the outside of the cluster. Garden cultivated forms tend to have mostly showy sterile flowers. This hydrangea is pollinated by the hydrangea sphinx moth (Darapsa versicolor) and is also a food source for the moth larvae.
Grow smooth hydrangea in partial sun to shade and fertile, moist, humus-rich soil. Once established, it will tolerate periods of drought, especially if planted in shade, though it always looks better with regular water. This is a fast-growing shrub that flowers on the current season’s growth. If pruning is needed, cut back stems in late winter or spring.
Smooth hydrangea is an outstanding woodland shrub for shaded, naturalistic landscapes. There are several exceptionally garden-worthy cultivars, which have big, snowball like flower clusters. Both 'Grandiflora' and 'Annabelle' have immense clustered flowerheads that ornately cover the stems in summer. They also dry well and will offer winter interest if left uncut.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
9 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
3 - 8
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Sunset Zone
A3, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21
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Plant Type
Shrub
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Sun Exposure
Partial Shade, Full Shade
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Height
3'-5' / 0.9m - 1.5m
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Width
5'-6' / 1.5m - 1.8m
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Bloom Time
Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer
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Native To
North America, United States, Northeastern United States, Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, North-Central United States, Central United States, South-Central United States
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
White, Light Green, Ivory
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Fruit Color
Tan
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Yellow, Dark Green, Yellow Green
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Bark Color
Sandy Brown
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Coarse
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Bark Texture
Smooth
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Usage
Cutflower, Dried Flower/Everlasting, Feature Plant, Foundation, Mixed Border
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Self-Sowing
Yes
