What is Hydrangea serrata?
Hydrangea serrata is a deciduous flowering shrub of medium size from East Asia. In many countries, it is widely used as a landscape and a garden plant. The common names Hydrangea serrata include mountain hydrangeas, blood on snow and heaven. This hydrangea is a close relative of a better known Large Leaf Hydrange, Hydrangea Makrophyll. Flowers, stems and leaves are smaller on Hydrangea serrata, but it is a heavier species and can be planted in areas too cold for Makrophylla hydrangeas.
Place with well drained, fertile soil is ideal for this shrub. It is best in a partial shadow, but will tolerate full sun if the soil must not dry. Hydrangea serrata reaches a height of 3 to 5 feet (about 1 to 1.5 m) and is usually as wide as high, grows on a round hill. It can grow up to 18 inches (about 45 cm) per year under favorable conditions. Dark green leaves are oval, up to 6 inches long (about 15 cm) and have a dentist, or serrated, a edge that gives the species its name.
Hydrangea serrata flowers are actually clusters of flowers and are shaped as snowballs or lace chapels. Sterile and fertile flowers are mixed in clusters and the sterile ones are slightly exemplary. The color of the flower depends on the acidity of the soil where the plant grows. In very acidic soil, flowers are blue, while in more alkaline places bloom into shades of pink. Some flowers may be white or white shading into blue or pink.
As part of its native extent of East Asia and Japan, Hydrangea Serrata grows up to 5,000 feet (1,524 m) above sea level in colder areas. In North America, USDA 6 and 7 are usually recommended for the hardness zones, but can be planted north of Zone 5 if appropriate winter protection is provided. After a particularly cold winter, flowers can be controlled than usual. It was succumbing to the south as part of zone 9 when it was planted in a shaded area and got enoughwater ate.
Hydrangea serrata flowers mostly on old wood, stems that grew in previous years. To stimulate the best flower, the only routine pruning of the removal of dead or damaged stems should be. It is a summer flowering shrub and flowers are the most demanding in July and August. Flowers are pollinated by insects.