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Hydrangea sargentiana

Image of Hydrangea sargentiana

James H. Schutte

Family

Hydrangeaceae

Botanical Name

Hydrangea sargentiana

Plant Common Name

Sargent's Hydrangea

General Description

This medium-sized deciduous shrub is distinguished by its fuzzy leaves and stems and by its summer display of showy "lacecap" flower heads. Native to uplands of south-central China, it was introduced to horticulture in 1908 by famed plant explorer E. H. Wilson.

The large, oval, felted leaves are paired along upright to spreading stems that are densely coated with purplish, wooly hairs. Older stems develop flaky, exfoliating bark. Broad, disk-shaped flowerheads appear at the branch tips from early to late summer. Each head comprises a dense central cluster of small, lavender to violet fertile flowers, fringed with a scattering of larger, white to blush-pink sterile flowers. Butterflies and bees visit the flowers, which later develop into brown winged seeds.

Grow Sargent's hydrangea in partial shade and moist, well-drained, moderately fertile soil. Prune young plants hard in late winter to promote development of a full, multi-stemmed habit. Use this shrub mixed woodland borders, foundation plantings, and informal hedges.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    8 - 1

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    7 - 8

  • Sunset Zone

    4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Shrub

  • Sun Exposure

    Partial Sun, Partial Shade

  • Height

    7'-10' / 2.1m - 3.0m

  • Width

    7'-10' / 2.1m - 3.0m

  • Bloom Time

    Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall

  • Native To

    China

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline

  • Soil Drainage

    Average

  • Soil type

    Loam

  • Growth Rate

    Medium

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Habit

    Oval/Rounded

  • Seasonal Interest

    Summer

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    White, Light Pink, Lavender, Blue Violet, Ivory

  • Flower Color Modifier

    Bicolor

  • Fruit Color

    Tan

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Green, Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Green, Dark Green

  • Bark Color

    Purple, Tan, Brown

  • Fragrant Flowers

    No

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    No

  • Showy Fruit

    Yes

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    No

  • Foliage Texture

    Coarse

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Evergreen

    No

  • Showy Bark

    Yes

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Exfoliating

  • Usage

    Cutflower, Feature Plant, Hedges, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Butterflies

  • Self-Sowing

    No