Smooth and Oakleaf Hydrangeas for the Mid-Atlantic

These native cultivars will fill your summer and fall garden with a profusion of blooms and color

summertime in the Mid - Atlantic can be raging and somewhat devoid of flowers after spring blooms disappearance . However , hydrangeas ( Hydrangeaspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) are just showing their bluff flowers as summer begins . These ubiquitous summer - flowering bush can be picture in almost every garden in the region , and rightly so . With so many cultivars useable , it is difficult not to discover the perfect selection for your Mid - Atlantic garden . While mophead hydrangeas ( Hydrangea macrophylla , Zone 4–9 ) have always been democratic , native hydrangea cultivars have n’t been as prevalent , although this is beginning to change . fortuitously , with increased availability , nurseryman can add a kind of knotty but beautiful nativar hydrangea to their gardens .

The two specie of hydrangeas native to the Mid - Atlantic are oakleaf hydrangea ( Hydrangea quercifolia , Zones 5–9 ) and politic hydrangea ( Hydrangea arborescens , Zones 3–9 ) . They can be found growing of course in woodland areas along the East Coast . In addition , there are some terrific selections that gardeners can grow at home .

The best smooth hydrangeas for the Mid-Atlantic

fluid hydrangeas can allow full Sunday to partial shade . If planting your smooth hydrangea in full sun , be trusted to give its roots enough water , as the foliage will tend to drop with constantly dry soil . The flowers on the square metal money of this hydrangea are white , but there are some stunning selections with pinkish or crimson flowers .

Invincibelle®Ruby smooth hydrangea

H. arborescens‘NCHA3 ’ , zone 3–8

alternatively of the plebeian blank still hydrangea flowers , this variety begins the time of year with plenteous maroon flower buds that open to red - tinged bloom . This cultivar achieve 3 to 4 feet magniloquent and 2 to 3 foot all-embracing and does best in at least six hour of sun . Be certain to add together some mulch around the base to keep the moisture levels up . cut it in bounce to about one - third of its height for optimum bloom .

Invincibelle Mini Mauvette®smooth hydrangea

H. arborescens‘NCHA7 ’ , zona 4–8

With a recondite purplish hue , Invincibelle Mini Mauvette ® flower are a arresting addition to the garden . A Proven Winners selection , this hydrangea gasconade grand cold hardiness that not all smooth hydrangeas can achieve . get hold of just about 3 ft tall and wide , Invincibelle Mini Mauvette ® will rebloom in the fall .

‘Hayes Starburst’ smooth hydrangea

H. arborescens‘Hayes Starburst ’ , geographical zone 4–8

Want a Graeco-Roman white - flowering liquid hydrangea ? ‘ Hayes Starburst ’ is a compendious smooth hydrangea with the white flowers gardener know and love . However , the flowers are dome - shaped with star - mold florets . Growing only 2 to 4 invertebrate foot marvellous and wide , this shrub performs best in fond shade , as it be given to defoliate in hot , teetotal filth . Prune any damaged or dead stem in late wintertime or early spring for an optimal flower display .

The best oakleaf hydrangeas for the Mid-Atlantic

Oakleaf hydrangea ’s unparalleled foliation makes it a wonderful bush . It will grow in full sun to partial specter . flower into the fall , the foliage tends to plow a beautiful burgundy color as the cooler temperature arrive . As with all hydrangeas , keep its feet moist and cool , especially when it ’s planted in full sun .

Jetstream™ oakleaf hydrangea

H. quercifolia‘PIIHQ - I ’ , zona 5–8

Not your typical oakleaf hydrangea , Jetstream ™ reaches up to about 6 feet tall and 5 feet encompassing . Its white efflorescence gradually turn light pink ; the matured flowers contrast wonderfully with dark , wine - bleached autumn foliage . First Editions introduced this works as a dense , more stocky version of the full-strength specie with resistance to folio point .

‘Alice’ oakleaf hydrangea

H. quercifolia‘Alice ’ , Zones 5–9

A tried - and - true cultivar introduced by Michael Dirr through the Georgia Plant Introduction Program , this large ( 5 to 12 feet improbable and 5 to 8 foot panoptic ) shrub has attractively arc panicle flowers atop profoundly lobed foliage . The heyday evanesce to a light pink upon maturity , and the declension leafage color is striking . It graze from bronze to Burgundy wine to purple . This selection is also resistant to leaf spot and looks mythological all season — just make certain there is room in the garden , as it bring forth almost as wide as it get tall .

For more recommended varieties of smooth and oakleaf hydrangea , check out these :

— Michele Christiano has worked in public garden for most of her career . She lives in southerly Pennsylvania and presently works as an estate gardener maintaining a private garden design by Piet Oudolf .

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