Hydrangea
Hydrangea aspera
Family: Hydrangeaceae
What it is like
Bloom Color: Lavender, White. Main Bloom Time: Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Rounded, Vase.
Hydrangea aspera is a deciduous Shrub growing to 4 m (13ft) by 4 m (13ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from September to November. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid and very alkaline soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.
Height (m): 4
Where it is found
Scrub and forest in the mountains, 1200 - 2700 metres from Uttar Pradesh to S.W. China and Burma. Dense forests or thickets in valleys or on mountain slopes.
E. Asia - China to the Himalayas.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
The leaves are used as a tea substitute. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.
Tea: the various herb teas that can be used in place of tea, plus the genuine article.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating:
How it is grown
Landscape Uses:Specimen. Succeeds in most good soils, including chalk.This species is one of the most chalk-tolerant members of the genus. Tolerates most soils, thriving in a well-drained loamy soil, but resenting dryness at the roots. Succeeds in full sun or semi-shade, but if it is grown in a low rainfall area then it requires shade at the hottest part of the day. Does well on very acid soils with a pH around 4.5. 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. Grows well in an open woodland garden. Although fairly tolerant of soil type, this species is not very easy to grow well, it is best given a dryish soil, it resents winter wet. Dormant plants are hardy to about -15°c. They are somewhat tender when young, and the young growth of older plants is also susceptible to damage by late frosts. Plants resent being pruned. This species is notably susceptible to honey fungus. Special Features:Suitable for cut flowers, Suitable for dried flowers, Blooms are very showy.
Propagating it: Seed - surface sow in a greenhouse in spring. Cover the pot with paper until the seed germinates. 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. Cuttings of mature wood in late autumn in a frame. Mound layering in spring. Takes 12 months. Leaf-bud cuttings of the current seasons growth in a frame.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;
Habit: Shrub
Hardiness: 7-9
Growth: Medium
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Dry, moist
Things to keep in mind
There is a report that the fresh plant contains the toxin hydrogen cyanide. In small quantities, hydrogen cyanide has been shown to stimulate respiration and improve digestion, it is also claimed to be of benefit in the treatment of cancer. In excess, however, it can cause respiratory failure and even death.