Smooth hydrangea is a rounded deciduous shrub with summer flower clusters, offering a substantial flowering shape for partially shaded borders.
- Height
- 91–153 cm / 3–5 ft
- Spread
- 91–153 cm / 3–5 ft
- Light
- Full sun / Partial shade
- Soil moisture
- Moist, well-drained
- Flowering
- Spring, Summer
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Maintenance
- Low
- USDA zones
- 3a–9b
Planting
Plant in partial shade with neutral to acidic, well-drained soil. Full sun requires consistent moisture; woodland edges and moist shrub groups are suitable settings.
Care
Flowers form on new growth, so pruning can be done in late winter. Remove weak or damaged stems in early spring; harder pruning encourages larger flower clusters.
Before planting: Large flower heads can bend their supporting stems after heavy rain, particularly following hard pruning.
Planting Smooth hydrangea?
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Sources & photo credit
Plant reference: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Content checked . Flowering seasons vary with local climate; USDA zones describe winter cold tolerance.
- Smooth hydrangea: Cathy DeWitt · CC BY 4.0. Resized, converted to WebP and cropped for display.
- Mountain hydrangea: Cathy Dewitt · CC BY 4.0. Resized, converted to WebP and cropped for display.
- Adam's needle yucca: Carl Lewis · CC BY 2.0. Resized, converted to WebP and cropped for display.
- Bearberry: Walter Siegmund · CC BY-SA 3.0. Resized, converted to WebP and cropped for display.