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Native Plant Database

Header Photo: Mervin Wallace

Wild Hydrangea

Hydrangea arborescens
Plant Type: Shrubs
Native Environment: Cliff, Forest
Season of Interest: Mid (May - June), Late (July - frost), Winter (Nov - Mar)
Main Color: White
Fall Color: Yellow

USDA PLANTS Range Map

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Wild hydrangea plant with green leaves and white flowers.
Photo: Mervin Wallace.
Sun Exposure 
Full Sun, Medium Sun/Average Shade, Shade
Soil
Moisture
Moderate, High
Nature Attracting
Butterfly, Pollinators/Beneficial Insects
Wildlife Benefit
Animal
Resistance
Size

Height:

4 to
5
feet

Spread:

4 to
6
feet
Size
Height: 4 to
5
feet
Spread: 4 to
6
feet
Size
Height: 4 to
5
feet
Spread: 4 to
6
feet
Typical Landscape Use
Mass or group in shaded area of the mixed shrub border or naturalize in native plant or woodland garden. Flowers can be used in fresh or dried arrangements.
Establishment and Care Instructions
Grow in full sun to partial shade in rich, moist soil. Tolerates deep shade. Blooms on new growth so can be cut back to the ground in early spring to control size. Remove suckers to prevent plant from spreading. A solid generalist.
Special Features
Special Usage
Dried Flower, Fresh Cut Flower
Basic Description

Large clusters of flat, creamy white, flowers open in June and last for many weeks. Plants bloom most of the summer. Pollen-rich flowers attract many insects. Plants form rounded mounds. Flowers can be used in fresh or dried arrangements. Grow in partial shade in rich moist soil. Tolerates deep shade. Part of our Pollinator Buffet plant tag series. The eastern bumble bee and other insects pollinate wild hydrangea. It is one of the most widespread and abundant bumble bees in the eastern US. Also attracts azures and hairstreaks.

Two bumble bees on wild hydrangea flowers.

Bumble bees on wild hydrangea flowers. Photo: Ed Spevak.

 

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