Bigleaf Hydrangea, Florist's Hydrangea

Hydrangea macrophylla

Saxifragaceae (Saxifrage Family)

▲▼ flowering shrubs

▲▼ flowers

▲▼ foliage, showing semi-herbaceous stems

▲▼ foliage, showing semi-herbaceous stems

▲▼ flowers

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

Hydrangea macrophylla: Bigleaf Hydrangea, Florist’s Hydrangea

      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