Native Plant Database

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Autumn Foliage: yes
Flower:
Fruit: Brown
Size Class: 6-12 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Green
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , MO , MS , NC , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , SC , TN , VA , WV
Native Distribution: S. NY to s.e. MO, s. to FL, LA & OK
Native Habitat: Rich woods; rocky slopes; stream banks
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(I)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Rich, well-drained, moist soils.
Conditions Comments: Wild hydrangea suckers freely, creeping over large areas. It is susceptible to sunscald, chlorosis in alkaline soils, and winter dieback. Many weak, brittle canes are easily broken in wind and ice. Fast-growing and short-lived, this hydrangea is often treated as an herbaceous perennial and cut to the ground every winter. If the canes are allowed to grow, the naturally peeling bark is attractive. The plant will need supplemental watering in hot, dry summers.

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Hydrangea arborescens is a larval host and/or nectar source for:

Hydrangea sphinx (Darapsa versicolor) Larval Host Learn more at BAMONA

Propagation

Description: Propagate by seed or cuttings. Softwood cuttings, which should be taken early, root extremely easily.
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Seeds require no sepcial treatment but need careful handling because they are so small.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

Edge of the Woods Native Plant Nursery - Orefield, PA
American Native Nursery - Quakertown, PA
Toadshade Wildflower Farm - Frenchtown, NJ

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Delaware Nature Society - Hockessin, DE
Longwood Gardens - Newark, DE

Bibliography

Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
Bibref 996 - Gardening with Native Plants of the South (1994) Wasowski, Sally and Andy Wasowski

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Hydrangea arborescens in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Hydrangea arborescens in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Hydrangea arborescens