Smooth Hydrangea

Hydrangea arborescens
AKA: Hydrangea arborescens var. oblonga, Hydrangea arborescens var. sterilis

Size: 3 Gallon Availability

Shrub
Max size: 5’ tall x 5-6’ wide
Average size: 3′ tall x 3′ wide

Usually Moist, Moist to Dry
Loam, Sand, Clay
Full Sun, Part Shade

AKA: Hills of Snow, Hortensia, Sevenbark, Smooth Hydrangea, Wild Hydrangea, Mountain Hydrangea

This hydrangea puts off white flowers summer into fall; typically, there is an inital burst of blooms in May-June. Then, the plant may experience sporadic blooming into fall (June-September). Leaves turn red in fall before dropping. If you want to plant in full sun, there must be consistent moisture (i.e. a naturally wet spot OR an irrigated area). They can experience winter die-back; you can cut the stems back to the ground each winter as you would any herbaceous perennial. Has the potential to put out root suckers under ideal conditions.

Flowers attract pollinators like butterflies, multiple bee species, beetles, and more. It’s the host plant of the hydrangea sphinx moth.

Additional Sources: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, NC State Extension, Atlas of Florida Plants