We have recently published ‘Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions’: i.e. tropical and sub-tropical regions. We rely on regular donations to keep our free database going and help fund development of this and another book we are planning on food forest plants for Mediterranean climates. Please give what you can to keep PFAF properly funded. More >>>

Follow Us:

 

Hydrangea arborescens - L.

Common Name Seven Barks, Wild hydrangea, Ashy Hydrangea, Snowhill Hydrangea, Smooth Hydrangea
Family Hydrangeaceae
USDA hardiness 4-9
Known Hazards Dizziness, chest pain, gastrointestinal distress. Weak potential for sensitization [301].
Habitats Rich woods, banks of streams and calcareous rocky slopes[43].
Range Eastern N. America - New York to Florida, west to Ohio, Oklahoma and Indiana.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Hydrangea arborescens Seven Barks, Wild hydrangea, Ashy Hydrangea, Snowhill Hydrangea, Smooth Hydrangea


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:KENPEI
Hydrangea arborescens Seven Barks, Wild hydrangea, Ashy Hydrangea, Snowhill Hydrangea, Smooth Hydrangea
http://www.inmygarden.org/

 

Translate this page:

Summary

Bloom Color: Blue, Lavender, Pink, Red, White. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Early fall, Late summer, Late spring, Mid summer. Form: Rounded, Spreading or horizontal.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Hydrangea arborescens is a deciduous Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft) by 2 m (6ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
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 semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Hydrangea vulgaris

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Stem
Edible Uses:

The peeled branches and twigs have been used to make a tea[257]. The new growth of young twigs has been peeled, boiled thoroughly then fried and eaten[257].

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.
Anthelmintic  Cathartic  Diaphoretic  Diuretic  Sialagogue  Tonic

Seven barks was used by the North American Indians as a remedy for kidney and bladder stones and is still used for these purposes in modern herbalism[254]. It is considered to both encourage the expulsion of stones and to help dissolve those that remain[254]. The roots are anthelmintic, cathartic, diaphoretic, diuretic, emetic and tonic[4, 21, 46, 165, 222, 238]. They are used in the treatment of kidney stones, mucous irritations of the bladder, cystitis, nephritis, enlarged prostate and bronchial afflictions[222, 238, 254]. Excessive doses can cause dizziness and bronchial congestion[238]. The fresh roots are very succulent and can be easily cut, when dry they become very tough and resistant[4]. They are harvested in the autumn and it is best to cut them into short sections before drying them[4, 254]. The scraped bark is used as a poultice on wounds, burns, sore muscles, sprains etc[222]. The bark is chewed in the treatment of stomach and heart ailments[222]. The leaves are cathartic, diuretic, sialagogue and tonic[4].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

The Bookshop: Edible Plant Books

Our Latest books on Perennial Plants For Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens in paperback or digital formats.

Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions: 250+ Plants For Tropical Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.
Edible Tropical Plants

Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions: 250+ Plants For Tropical Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.

More
Plants for Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.
Edible Temperate Plants

Plants for Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.

More
PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital media.
More Books

PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital formats. Browse the shop for more information.

Shop Now

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife  Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Foundation, Massing, Specimen. Tolerates most soils[200], thriving in a well-drained loamy soil[1], but resenting dryness at the roots[11, 200]. Requires partial shade[11]. Does well on very acid soils with a pH around 4.5[200]. In frosty areas it is best to site the plant in a position shaded from the early morning sun[238]. A good bee plant[108]. The flowers are sweetly scented[245]. Plants are best left unpruned[49]. Another report says that the previous year's flowering shoots should be cut back in early spring[238]. This species is notably susceptible to honey fungus[200]. Special Features:North American native, Suitable for cut flowers, Suitable for dried flowers, Blooms are very showy.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

image

The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

Shop Now

Plant 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]. Thick growths make the best cuttings, but these should be placed in individual pots[78]. Good percentage[113]. Cuttings of mature wood in late autumn in a frame[200]. Mound layering in spring. Takes 12 months[78]. Division of suckers in late winter[113]. They can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. Leaf-bud cuttings of the current seasons growth in a frame[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (Indiana, New Jersey, New York (south), Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Illinois, Kansas (Cherokee Co.), Missouri, Oklahoma, Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi (east), North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, District of Columbia)

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 :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Clerodendrum bungeiGlory Flower, Rose glorybower, Cashmere Bouquet, Mexican Hydrangea, Glory BowerShrub2.0 7-9 MLMHNM010
Deinanthe bifida Perennial0.4 6-9 SLMFSM10 
Deutzia scabraFuzzy pride-of-rochester, DeutziaShrub3.0 5-8 MLMHSNM102
Dichroa febrifugaChinese Quinine, DichroaShrub2.0 8-11 MLMHSNM031
Hydrangea anomalaHydrangeaClimber12.0 4-8 FLMHFSNM313
Hydrangea asperaHydrangeaShrub4.0 7-9 MLMHSNDM10 
Hydrangea hirta Shrub1.0 6-9  LMHSNM10 
Hydrangea macrophyllaFrench hydrangea , Florist's Hydrangea, Bigleaf HydrangeaShrub3.0 5-9 MLMHSNM323
Hydrangea paniculataPanicled hydrangea, Hybrid Hydrangea, PeeGee Hydrangea, Panicle HydrangeaShrub4.0 3-8 FLMHSNMWe122
Hydrangea serrataHydrangea, Mountain Hydrangea, Sawtooth HydrangeaShrub2.0 5-9 MLMHSNM203
Hydrangea serrata amagiana Shrub2.0 5-9  LMHSNM402
Hydrangea serrata thunbergiiTea of heaven, Ama-tsja,Shrub1.5 5-9  LMHSNM302
Philadelphus coronariusMock Orange, Sweet mock orangeShrub4.0 4-8 FLMHSNM001
Philadelphus delavayi Shrub4.0 5-9  LMHSNM001
Philadelphus lewisiiMock Orange, Lewis' mock orangeShrub3.6 4-8  LMHSNM013
Philadelphus microphyllusLittleleaf Mock OrangeShrub1.2 5-9  LMHSNDM101
Philadelphus pubescensHoary mock orangeShrub5.0 5-9  LMHSNM001
Philadelphus purpurascens Shrub4.0 5-9  LMHSNDM001
Philadelphus x virginalisMock OrangeShrub3.0 5-8 MLMHSNM001
Platycrater arguta Shrub1.0 7-10  LMHSM103
Schizophragma hydrangeoidesJapanese Hydrangea VineClimber12.0 5-8 SLMHFSNM103
Schizophragma integrifolium Climber12.0 6-9  LMHFSNM023

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.

 

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

1143200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

José Waizel   Wed May 18 23:49:22 2005

Wild Hydrangea, Indian cherokee medicine for tumours. Hamel, BP. and MU. Chiltoskey. 1975. Cherokee Plants and Their Uses -- A 400 Year History. Sylva, N.C. Herald Publishing Co.

Add a comment

If you have important information about this plant that may help other users please add a comment or link below. Only comments or links that are felt to be directly relevant to a plant will be included. If you think a comment/link or information contained on this page is inaccurate or misleading we would welcome your feedback at [email protected]. If you have questions about a plant please use the Forum on this website as we do not have the resources to answer questions ourselves.

* Please note: the comments by website users are not necessarily those held by PFAF and may give misleading or inaccurate information.

To leave a comment please Register or login here All comments need to be approved so will not appear immediately.

Subject : Hydrangea arborescens  
© 2010, Plants For A Future. Plants For A Future is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Charity No. 1057719, Company No. 3204567.