Deciduous Flowering Shrubs - Part 5

It was found in a gorge near Yellow Springs, Ohio, some time before 1900, according to Wyman, and has been an old favorite ever since.

It can grow more than nine feet (2.74 m) tall, but is seldom seen at this height because it is often pruned in spring to make it more mound-like. Extremely hardy, like all the clan, it is among the best for cold climates because it will bloom reliably where winters reach -40F (-40C)

The flower heads are corymbs reaching six to eight inches (15.23 - 20.31 cm) across, primarily of sterile sepals which are larger than those of 'Annabelle', but fewer in number and the heads aren't as symmetrical, appearing to be made of four parts welded together.

Pruning

Since some hydrangeas flower on new wood and some on old wood, pruning them so that you don't cut off next year's flowers is something that is almost as confusing as pruning Clematis.

This is a perfect example of the need to know just which plant you're growing, since knowing will tell you when and how to prune it. If in doubt don't prune. The plants will grow and flower whether pruned or not, although flowers may be reduced in size after time.

Bloom on New wood (the current seasons growth) - prune in early spring, once buds start to swell:

Hydrangea arborescens (smooth hydrangea)
Hydrangea paniculata (panicle hydrangea or tree hydrangea or peegee hydrangea)
Hydranga anomala subspecies petiolaris (climbing hydrangea)

Bloom on Old wood - prune immediately after bloom - clean up in early spring.

Hydrangea macrophylla (big leaf hydrangea), subspecies and cultivars; mopheads and lace caps.
Hydrangea quercifolia (oak leaf hydrangea)

I have read that all other hydrangeas not listed above as blooming on new wood bloom on old wood. Considering that new species and forms are being introduced to cultivation at a goodly clip by our current crop of intrepid plant explorers, I am not sure that this is correct. I'd like to find specifics on each species, but so far have not unearthed them. If you are lucky enough to grow one, you will have to observe it for a few seasons to see whether it blooms on old or new wood.

H. arborescens can be pruned hard in very early spring. I cut my H. arborescens

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