The Hydrangea macrophylla is a genus from the Hydrangeaceae family and is commonly named hydrangea. The hydrangea is native to Asia and North America.
This is a much loved perennial because it is easy to grow and produces beautiful, big flowers that bloom for a long time. The flowers of many hydrangeas also have beautiful colours in autumn as well. Even the dried out flowers have ornamental value in winter. The flowers are often used as cut flower.
The Hydrangea macrophylla is available in many colours. Contrary to the Hydrangea arborescens the Hydrangea macrophylla mostly blooms on old wood. The flowers buds are formed at the end of the year. That means that the buds can be destroyed by frost. All the more reason the leave the dead flowers on the shrub. The dried out flowers provide protection against frost and the cold winter wind. It I also wise to protect the hydrangea against the winter sun. The flowers heads may develop too soon if it is too warm which makes the flowers buds extra vulnerable to a late frost period.
If you want to prune this shrub it is best to cut away part of the old wood so that you leave enough wood that produces flowers. Of course you can cut away all the wood but then you will not get any or just a few flowers that coming flowering season.
The Hydrangea macrophylla can handle quite some sun and warmth but then the soil needs to be more moist than if the perennial is positioned in more shade. In part shade the hydrangea is quite drought tolerant. The Hydrangea macrophylla is tolerant to salt.
Attracts bees: no
Characteristic: deciduous
Exposure: sun/part shade
Flower colour: various
Flowering time: June – September
Foliage colour: green
Fragrant flower: no
Hardiness: -20 ºC (-4 ºF)
Height: 4 feet (1.2 m)
Soil: normal/moist