The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Hydrangeasare popular and easily recognizable shrubs with impressive flowers.
A large genus of plants, there are only a handful of species commonly grown in garden landscapes.
The smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens), sometimes called Wild hydrangea, is one of those species.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
These fast-growing, compact shrubs are best planted in the fall and don’t often grow above five feet.
They require partial shade and well-draining soil.
All parts of hydrangea plants are toxic to people and pets.Read on for our care and growing guide.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
It can cope with full sun, but shade from the afternoon sun is important in hot southern regions.
Soil
Smooth hydrangeas are adaptable and tolerant of poor soil conditions providing they are moist and well-drained.
To thrive, they prefer loamy, rich, acidic soils.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
It needs moist conditions, and a layer of mulch to help retain moisture.
However, they can die back when winters are particularly cold.
The ideal daytime temperatures are around 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the growing season.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
They prefer humidity over dry areas and should be protected from winds.
Fertilizer
Smooth hydrangeasdo well being fed a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer.
Spring feeding is particularly important.
Types of Smooth Hydrangea
There are many showyHydrangea arborescenscultivars to choose from.
Some popular options include:
Pruning
Because they bloom on new wood,pruning smooth hydrangeasis easy.
Alternatively, simply remove any weak or damaged stems.
Propagating Smooth Hydrangea
This fast-growinghydrangea suits propagation from cuttingsroot or stem.
If grown outdoors, you’ll need to wrap and cover to protect the plant and root system.
Hydrangeas grown in pots can be brought indoors or into a greenhouse during the cooler months.
Water once a month to keep roots moist until the plantgrows again in the spring.
Keep an eye out for things likeaphids,Japanese beetlesandspider mites.
The common fungal diseasepowdery mildewcan also sometimes be an issue because the plant prefers higher humidity and moisture.
What Do Smooth Hydrangea Blooms Look and Smell Like?
Smooth hydrangea produces clusters of tiny white, sweet-scented flowers.
The flowerheads can grow as large as 12 inches wide and are attractive to pollinators.
And don’t forget to avoid high nitrogen fertilizer, which encourages more foliage than flowers.
Fertilize with iron-enriched fertilizer and confirm the soil is kept acidic.
Ensure optimum levels of each to keep your plant healthy and strong.
They grow much tallersometimes up to 15 feet tall.
This species grows as much as 25 inches annually and reach full size in as little as three years.
