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Hydrangea - D.Don.

Common Name Hydrangea
Family Hydrangeaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Shady ravines to 2100 metres in the Himalayas[158]. Dense to sparse forests in valleys, along stream banks, or on rocky mountain slopes at elevations of 500 - 2900 metres[266].
Range E. Asia - China to the Himalayas.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full shade Semi-shade Full sun
Hydrangea Hydrangea


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Cillas
Hydrangea Hydrangea

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: Lavender, White. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Early spring, Late summer, Late spring, Mid summer, Mid spring. Form: Rounded.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of climber
Hydrangea is a deciduous Climber growing to 12 m (39ft 4in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

H. altissima. Wallich.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Leaves - cooked. A cucumber taste[183]. The Japanese crush the leaves and use them fresh with miso[177, 183]. A boiled concoction of the leaves is used to make a syrup[177, 183]. The sweet sap is used as a drink[183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


The leaves are used medicinally[266]. No further information is given.

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

The bark is a paper substitute[146, 158]. The sub-species H. anomala petiolaris can be used as a ground cover plant in a shady position[188]. It is best spaced about 1.8 metres apart each way[208].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Arbor, Espalier. Tolerates most soils[200], thriving in a well-drained loamy soil[1], but resenting dryness at the roots[11, 200]. Succeeds in full sun or semi-shade[200], but if it is grown in a low rainfall area then it requires shade at the hottest part of the day[11]. Does well on very acid soils with a pH around 4.5[200]. The colour of the flowers reflects the pH of the soil the plant is growing in, the flowers are pink in a neutral to alkaline soil and blue in an acid soil. Although the dormant plant is quite hardy in Britain, the young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts. A fast-growing self-clinging climbing plant[208], attaching itself by means of aerial roots[200], and growing up walls or tree trunks on any aspect. The plants may need initial support, however[200]. Plants are growing well on a wall at Kew[11]. Grows well on north walls but prefers a sunnier position[208]. Closely related to H. petiolaris[11]. H. petiolaris is normally treated as no more than a sub-species of this species[200]. This species is notably susceptible to honey fungus[200]. Special Features: Not North American native, Blooms are very showy.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Seed - surface sow in a greenhouse in spring[113]. Cover the pot with paper until the seed germinates[78]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 8cm long, July/August in a frame. Overwinter in a greenhouse and plant out in late spring[78]. Cuttings of mature wood in late autumn in a frame[200]. Mound layering in spring. Takes 12 months[78]. Basal softwood cuttings of non-flowering shoots[200]. Leaf-bud cuttings of the current seasons growth in a frame[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

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Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

D.Don.

Botanical References

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