Hydrangea arborescens aka Smooth Hydrangea

Taxonomy ID: 5966

Hydrangea arborescens, also known as smooth hydrangea, wild hydrangea, or sevenbark, is a deciduous shrub native to the eastern United States. It can grow up to 2 meters tall and has large, serrated, ovate leaves that are green on the lower surface. The inflorescence is a corymb, with showy, sterile flowers that are typically less than 1 cm in diameter. Flowering occurs from May to July, and the plant produces ribbed brown capsules that are about 2 mm long. The stem bark peels off in successive thin layers with different colors, giving it the name "sevenbark". Smooth hydrangea can spread rapidly by stolons to form colonies. Ashy Hydrangea, on the other hand, is a relatively rare houseplant that belongs to the Hydrangea genus and is native to North America. It needs regular watering to thrive and does best in long-lasting, direct light that is less than 1 foot from a window. The plant prefers well-draining soil and shouldn't need added fertilizers if it is repotted each time it doubles in size.

Common names

Smooth Hydrangea, Sevenbark, Wild Hydrangea, Tree Hydrangea

More information about Smooth Hydrangea

How difficult is it to take care of Smooth Hydrangea

If you're looking for a plant that offers a moderate level of challenge, Smooth Hydrangea is a great choice to test your gardening skills.

What is the region of origin of Smooth Hydrangea

Smooth Hydrangea’s native range is Asia and the Americas.

What are the water needs for Smooth Hydrangea

Smooth Hydrangea should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

What is the right soil for Smooth Hydrangea

Smooth Hydrangea loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

What is the sunlight requirement for Smooth Hydrangea

To ensure optimal growth, the Smooth Hydrangea prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

What's the right humidity for Smooth Hydrangea

The Smooth Hydrangea does not need extra humidity. Plants primarily absorb water through their root system, making soil watering the best way to provide humidity to your plants.

How to fertilize Smooth Hydrangea

The Smooth Hydrangea grows at a slow pace and doesn't require any supplementary fertilizers. By renewing its potting soil once a year, it should receive enough nourishment. Remember, plants obtain their energy from sunlight, not fertilizers.

Is Smooth Hydrangea toxic to humans/pets?

Smooth Hydrangea is poisonous if ingested. We suggest keeping this plant out of reach if you have children, cats, or dogs in the home.

What's the dormancy for Smooth Hydrangea

During the cold period, it is common for Smooth Hydrangea to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.

What is the growth pattern of Smooth Hydrangea

The Smooth Hydrangea is characterized by clumping growth, with new shoots emerging from the soil around the primary plant.

More info:
Wikipedia