Bigleaf Hydrangea

Bigleaf Hydrangea, Florist's Hydrangea

Hydrangea macrophylla

Saxifragaceae (Saxifrage Family)

▲ ▼ flowering shrubs

▲ ▼ flowers

▲ ▼ foliage, showing semi-herbaceous stems

▲ ▼ flowers

Hydrangea macrophylla: Bigleaf Hydrangea, Florist’s Hydrangea

Location on campus: in garden area on north side of Meyer Library and south of Kings Street Annex

leaves opposite, deciduous, simple, ovate with serrated margins and pointed tip; 4-8" long and 2/3 as wide with fleshy texture; dark green above and glabrous to slightly pubescent underneath
stems light shiny gray or brown, seldom branching, often dying back each winter; pith is large and white
grows 3-6' tall as a rounded shrub of many upright, unbranched stems; but often dies back to ground annually
flowers are white, pink or purple, depending on the pH and either flat-topped corymbs “lacecaps" (sterile & fertile flowers) or ball-like corymbs (all sterile flowers); flowers in late spring to early summer
flowers form on previous season’s wood, so if it dies to ground during the past winter, it will not flower the next growing season
pH affects flower color in many cultivars-- acid (blue or white), higher pH (white to pink)-- due to aluminum ion availability in soil
adding aluminum and/or altering pH will not guarantee desired color-- other factors must be involved
many, many cultivars based on flower type and color
is grown as a potted plant in greenhouses for florist trade
part shade to full sun conditions (more shade further south in range); prefers cool, moist, even conditions in moist, well-drained, fertile soils add extra peatmoss or organic matter & mulch plants well
fast growth rate