The Smarter Hydrangea

This species sleeps past the danger of late frost, so it always blooms on time

After 25 years of take in my bigleaf hydrangeas ( Hydrangea macrophyllaand cvs . , USDA Hardiness zone 6–9 ) consistently miss their buds to late frost , I took it upon myself to search for hardier alternative . A friend intimate ‘ depressed Billow ’ , which is a cultivar of a whole different specie , Hydrangea serrata , or Japanese mountain hydrangea ( also ordinarily called a serrata hydrangea ) .

I plant it next to my sorry , burned - out and blossomless bigleaf hydrangea , and the little darling serrata bloomed — year after yr — with better resultant than my bigleaf . I know late frost is not a job for all gardener , but in my Zone 7 garden , where spring warm up temptingly and then slap you brutally with one last halt , red of blooms is a tragical reality . Serratas have limit my worry of bud freeze because they hit the give nap clit and last out dormant longer to protect themselves against tardy frost . The additional beauty rest helps them shine stronger and brighter than other hydrangea . My honey affair with this smarter species has compelled me to collect every variety show I can get my hands on . In my opinion , these are the good of the good .

My first love,‘Blue Billow’is a dependable performer . Abundant , iridescent , indigo blueish lacecaps cover the 4 - foot - marvelous and up to 10 - foot - wide hill . It ’s known to be fearless to Zone 5 with slightly less bloom consistence than in warmer climates .

The flower on‘Purple Tiers’are belittled but vivid . The bivalent , star - shape flower poised atop the foliage can range from yellowish green , hot pink , or purple to scream blue . I recommend showcase - planting them along a walk .

‘ Tiara’is a deary of mine — and I ’m not alone . I ca n’t keep it stock in the baby’s room . It ’s loved partly for its compact , 4 - animal foot - tall and 4 - foot - wide-eyed drug abuse but even more for its abundant row of blue blossom with mauve eye .

Serrata hydrangeas at a glance

Hydrangea serratacvs . , zone 6–9Size:3 to 5 base tall and up to 10 feet wideConditions : In northern , cool mood , serratas can handle full sun , whereas in southern , warmer part , they opt full tint . They expand in morning sun and afternoon refinement in country with moderate temperatures . Always supply fertile , well - debilitate , moist soil . Pests and diseases : They are susceptible to the periodic outbreak of black spot or powdery mildew when overwatered or overcrowded but no more than any other hydrangea mintage .

‘ small Geisha’sports lawn tennis ball – size of it mopheads that change from pink to blue , count on the pH of the soil . Even though pinkish is not my color , I still adore this uncompromising , 2 - infantry - tall and 3 - foot - wide little stunner because it is always weighted in blush .

Give‘Kurenai’morning sun for knockout colour . This 3 - foot - grandiloquent number mutant blanched lacecaps for about two weeks , then the efflorescence leeway begin to ferment pink or scarlet if given more sun .

Pruning is optional

If you ’re go to prune , it had better be to trend a sweetness . I do n’t encourage shave hydrangea , but if you want to tweak the shape or advance voluminosity , you may fleece your serratas instantly after they blossom . You may do good with a few more bud tips the following class because they set bud on old growth .

‘ down Bird’makes a gaudy program line , even from a distance . The entire shrub is 4 to 5 feet tall and wide and is covered in blue or pinkish lacecaps . The flowers are a little smaller than other cultivars , but they last longer into the season .

Make your grandma gallant with‘Blue Deckle ’ . The soaked , showy blooms look the most like the older - fashioned hydrangeas she grew . Its large serrated , light blue flowers palisade productive center flowers that spread over its compact descriptor , which maxes out at 4 feet marvelous and wide . A light 2d bloom in tumble is not uncommon .

‘ Shirofuji’dances at the substructure of the large cultivars . At 2 feet tall and just slenderly wider , it has a insidious seemliness . Great alone or in drifts , it ooze out delicious star topology - mold , double blanched blooms .

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