The Best Native Hydrangeas: Plant Trial Results

These unfussy species are guaranteed to bloom, and many are pollinator friendly

Everyone loveshydrangeas , but nobody wants to see a year ’s worth of efflorescence wiped out by a bass wintertime freeze or a badly timedpruningsession . Fortunately , there are a few closely interrelate North American native species that blossom on Modern Ellen Price Wood , which means they can be dress any time from fall to early leap , or even kill to the earth by rime , without sacrificing their adorable blooms .

For five years , staff and Volunteer atMt . Cuba Centerin Hockessin , Delaware , evaluatedsmooth hydrangea(Hydrangea arborescens , Zones 3–9 ) and two close relatives : ash-grey hydrangea ( H. cinerea , Zones 4–9 ) and silver - leafage hydrangea ( H. radiata , Zones 3–8 ) . We assort this appeal ofnative plantsas “ wild hydrangeas . ” Most of the industrial plant in the tribulation were smooth hydrangea cultivar ( i.e. ,nativars ) , with just a few selections from the other species and one interspecific hybrid .

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A ripe manner to Prune Smooth Hydrangeas

Which Smooth Hydrangeas Are Best for Pollinators ? Mophead or Lacecap ?

The inflorescences of wild hydrangeas and related species fall into two categories : lacecaps and mopheads ( see “ Which Smooth Hydrangeas Are Best for Pollinators ? Mophead or Lacecap ? ” ) . Most of the plants in the trial blossom for just a few workweek in early summertime ; however , the blossom question persist attractive through former summer , surrender , and even into winter . Most have ashen flower , though some pink - bloom cultivars have been inaugurate in recent years . Unlike the nonnativebigleaf hydrangeas(H. macrophyllaand cvs . , Zones 6–9 ) andmountain hydrangeas(H. serrataand cvs . , Zones 5–9 ) , the flush color of angry hydrangeas and allied species is not affected bysoil pH.

Most of the hydrangeasin the trialperformed best in tint , which helps to keep infertile peak and leaves from burning , particularly in hotter , dry weather . But we found that many of the cultivars were surprisingly sun broad , particularly if they had been planted in wet - retentive , well - drained soil . Some of the pink - flowered sort rack up systematically good in Lord’s Day than in refinement . In hot summertime climates , however , all of these hydrangea will in all likelihood require auxiliary water to avail them permit sun without being damage .

Native hydrangeas at a glance

Hydrangea arborescens , Zones 3–9 / Hydrangea cinerea , Zones 4–9 / Hydrangea radiata , Zones 3–8

Conditions : Full Dominicus to partial specter ; average to moist , well - drained grime

Native range : Eastern and central United States

pest and disease : Few serious problem

Propagation : Softwood cutting and seed

Trial parameters

At the Mt. Cuba Center from 2017 to 2021 , a totality of 29 hydrangeas , include three unbowed coinage and 26 cultivars , were evaluate for energy , wont , floral video display , andpollinatorperformance .

Trial continuance : Five geezerhood

Zone:6b/7a

Conditions : Every plant in the trial was grown in full Lord’s Day , and 19 taxa were also produce in 60 percent shade . The situation ’s clay - loam stain has a pH around 6.5 .

Care : To simulate distinctive landscape sustentation drill , minimum care was offer throughout the run , with supplemental water give only in the first growing time of year and during a smattering of extremely juiceless periods .

Top hydrangeas with exceptional flowers and habits

‘Haas’ Halo’ smooth hydrangea (Lacecap)

‘ Haas ’ Halo ’ smooth hydrangea(H. arborescens‘Haas ’ Halo ’ ) make a complete grievance of 5 , the only plant in the test to do so , and was move to the top by its starring pollinator rating . The first metre it bloomed in the trial and I saw its outsize lacecap flowers attract tons of pollinator , I bought one for family the same day . In the trial , plant grown in full sun displayed flower heads that were systematically among the largest in the total valuation , averaging 8 inches in diameter . A spring cutback magnified the already substantial floral display and reduce the height of the flora from 7 feet to 4 metrical unit . It had nearly unflawed performance in shadowiness , where it display undifferentiated development , dark greenish foliation , and flower heads that remained attractive for months after their midsummer bloom . If you have place for just one of these baseless hydrangea , ‘ Haas ’ Halo ’ offers the perfect combination of horticultural excellence and pollinator time value .

Incrediball®Blush smooth hydrangea (Mophead)

Adding some beautiful color into the mixing , Incrediball ® Blush smooth hydrangea(H. arborescens‘NCHA4 ’ ) is a petite mophead with pink unimaginative peak that become more intensely colored as the prolific flowers prepare to open . With its small sizing , about 4 feet tall and 5 feet wide , it is an accessible choice for little quad . It is also quite sun patient of , and if it has ample moisture , ample sunlight , and excellent drain , it will develop into a truly spectacular shrub . Its super - sturdy radical are especially impressive ; they never flop , even when the plant is in full bloom and whole covered with monumental prime heads .

Lime Rickey®hydrangea (Mophead)

Another olympian performer wasLime Rickey ® hydrangea(H.‘SMNHALR ’ ) . It was the only interspecies crossbreed in the test , having been develop from a cross between silver - folio hydrangea ( H. radiata ) and ‘ Pink Pincushion ’ smooth hydrangea ( H. arborescens‘Pink Pincushion ’ ) . Lime Rickey ® is a squeamish , big , attractive plant that does well in both sun and tint . Its unique mophead bloom have unfertile flower bud that set forth off lime hydrate green and then fade to off - white-hot or ivory as they open . The raspberry - pinkish fat flowers that open a small afterwards offer a unique demarcation ; there was no other flora in the trial quite like this one . As the flowers end , they fade back to a piano special K . Unfortunately , those interesting efflorescence did not attract a magnanimous number of pollinators . But if you are a collector of hydrangea , this is in spades one you ’ll want to have .

Front-runners with remarkable vigor and improved performance

Invincibelle®Spirit II smooth hydrangea (Mophead)

Another mophead , Invincibelle ® Spirit II legato hydrangea(H. arborescens‘NCHA2 ’ ) , is marry with Incrediball ® Blush for the mellow score among pink - flower cultivars . It is bigger and has a more racy riding habit than Incrediball ® Blush , and although its blooms are smaller , they take more fertile blossom per cluster . It also attracted the most pollinators of all the mopheads , though its pollinator counts could not compare to the much higher numbers that the lacecaps attracted . For gardener who really like a mophead form , Invincibelle ® Spirit II is a good via media , offering an attractive floral showing with some pollinator economic value .

Incrediball®smooth hydrangea (Mophead)

Incrediball ® smooth hydrangea(H. arborescens‘Abetwo ’ ) is an great rise to an imperishable deary . It originate as a seedling from ‘ Annabelle ’ ( H. arborescens ‘ Annabelle ’ ) , a white mophead with a notoriously floppy habit , especially in mid to late summer , when it requires some form of support to keep it looking full . Incrediball ® fixes everything with sturdy stems that easy endure those large white mopheads that everyone do it . It is much more honest in every way . remember of ‘ Annabelle ’ as a classical heirloom , deserving keeping if you have it ; however , Incrediball ® is a better choice if you are starting a new planting from scratch .

‘Mary Nell’ smooth hydrangea (Lacecap)

‘ Mary Nell ’ politic hydrangea(H. arborescens‘Mary Nell ’ ) is a lacecap similar to ‘ Haas ’ Halo ’ but with a double ringing of infertile flower around the outside . Like most other lacecaps , it attracted a big number of pollinator . You get both style and substance with this plant . We find that it is a little less tolerant of full sun than some of the other cultivars , so site it in partial or full shade . It may currently be a bit hard to track down , but we are hoping it will be more widely available in the future . ‘ Mary Nell ’ is a cool hydrangea that deserves to be grow more . If you are a collector , this is another well one to have .

A few more standout hydrangeas that are worth considering

White Dome®smooth hydrangea (Lacecap)

If you ’d like to grow the plant that attracted more pollinators than any other in the trial , White Dome ® bland hydrangea(H. arborescens‘Dardom ’ ) is the one to give chase down . It is a big , showy lacecap in the same class with ‘ Mary Nell ’ and ‘ Haas ’ Halo ’ , but with a slightly more stocky riding habit that makes it a well fit for smaller garden . Unfortunately , lack of availability may be a trouble with this plant . We were able to source it at the beginning of the trial , but since then it has become a little more unmanageable to find oneself . Although it is an older cultivar , it is such a good one that we hope some strong point grower will take an interest in it and make it more wide useable .

Smooth hydrangea (Lacecap)

The straight species , legato hydrangea(H. arborescens ) , had a score of 4.0 , which was not quite in high spirits enough to put it on the leaderboard . However , it did have top Mark for pollinator appeal , with its comparatively small lacecap flower heads attract the secondly - highest identification number of pollinator in the trial . This is the species from which most of the cultivars in the trial were selected or bred , but it had many more pollinator visit than its offspring with large , showier anthesis . It has a large aboriginal range in the easterly and central United States , where it is often find growing on slope in shady , dampish woodlands . If you have these condition , it should do very well for you .

‘Eco Pink Puff’ smooth hydrangea (Lacecap)

‘ Eco Pink Puff ’ smooth hydrangea(H. arborescens‘Eco Pink Puff ’ ) , a rosy lacecap , is the only plant in the tryout that does not produce any sterile flower . Its unequalled flavor grew on me , and by the 5th yr I wanted it in my garden . Although the bloom are small , there are around 2,000 of them per florescence , by far the highest enumeration of fat flush of any plant in the trial . This cultivar did well in nicety , but the plants grown in full sun were fuller and the flush more spectacular . This is another variety that can be tough to track down , but it ’s well worth the effort .

Silver-leaf hydrangea (Lacecap)

Silver - folio hydrangea(H. radiata ) is a plant I love , even though it did n’t do that well in the test . This species is very nearly allied withH. arborescensand is native to a small-scale area in the southerly Appalachians . It has beautiful , large lacecap flush that are fairly showy . Its leave have vivid silvery backs that add swell movement to the landscape painting , especially when there is a light child’s play . One caution is that this species needs to be grown with some tint ; the works in our trial suffered in full Sunday . Otherwise , it is a great garden industrial plant that is not too hard to chance in finish . It is at home at the edge of a woodland and has an impressive ability to lend brightness to a nicety garden .

Wild Hydrangea Trial Results

Sam Hoadley is the manager of horticultural research at Mt. Cuba Center in Hockessin , Delaware .

pic : courtesy of Mt. Cuba Center

Sources

The undermentioned mail - order industrial plant trafficker tender many of the hydrangea featured in this article .

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