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Tree Talk - Metropolitan Forestry Services

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January 15, 2020

5 Hydrangeas for the St. Louis Area

Bigleaf Hydrangea (macrophylla)

  • Mopheads – iconic globe shaped flower clusters can be pink or blue depending on the pH of the soil
  • Lacecaps – tiny fertile flowers surrounded by showy sterile flowers that attract pollinators
  • Blooms on old wood, so prune after flowering
  • ‘Nikko Blue’ ‘Let’s Dance’
John Ruter, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org

Smooth Hydrangea (arborescens)

  • Stiff stems are less likely to droop
  • Large clusters of tiny fertile flowers (fewer of the showier sterile flowers than the lacecap Bigleaf)
  • Blooms on new wood, so prune in late winter or early spring
  • ‘Incrediball’ ‘Annabelle’ ‘Grandiflora’
John Ruter, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org

Panicle Hydrangea (paniculata)

  • Have elongated, sometimes conical flower clusters
  • Broad oval leaves
  • Often trained to grow in a standard tree form
  • Blooms on new wood, so prune in late winter or early spring
  • ‘PeeGee’ ‘Bobo’ ‘Limelight’ ‘Pinky Winky’ ‘Tardiva’

John Ruter, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org

Oakleaf Hydrangea (quercifolia)

  • Large leaves resemble oak leaves and turn brilliant shades of red, purple, and bronze in the fall
  • Looser overall shape and preference to shadier spots make this an ideal choice for woodland gardens
  • Large conical flower clusters are similar to Panicle Hydrangea
  • Blooms on old wood, so prune after flowering
  • ‘Alice’ ‘Snow Queen’ ‘Munchkin’
John Ruter, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org
Michasia Dowdy, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org

Climbing Hydrangea (anomala petiolaris)

  • Slow growing, non-aggressive vine that prefers shade
  • Oval leaves and lacecap style blooms
  • Exfoliating bark on mature stems is reddish brown and attractive in winter
  • Blooms on old wood, so prune after flowering
Gary Wade, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org

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