Hydrangea hirta

Hydrangea hirta is a deciduous shrub in the Hydrangeaceae family. It comes from central and southern Japan, in temperate Asia. Kew lists this region as its native range. Plants For A Future also records it from several Japanese islands. It is not native to Britain or Ireland. The shrub reaches about 3.3 feet (1 metre) tall. Its small size suits the edges of woodland gardens.

The leaves fall each year, leaving the shrub bare in winter. Flowers appear in July, according to Plants For A Future. Each flower has both male and female organs. Bees visit the flowers and pollinate them. The supplied sources give no species-level details about flower colour or fruit. They also give no clear account of its bark or leaf shape. The broad flower traits listed by RHS describe the genus, not this species.

This shrub grows in sun or partial shade. In areas with little rain, it needs shade during midday heat. Woodland edges and sites with dappled shade offer suitable settings. It accepts sandy, loamy, and clay soils, but needs good drainage. A moist loam gives it suitable root conditions. Avoid letting the soil around its roots dry out. It accepts acid, neutral, and mildly alkaline ground. It can also grow in very acid soil, around pH 4.5.

Plants For A Future lists USDA hardiness zones 6–9. Dormant plants withstand British winters, but late frosts can harm new spring shoots. The shrub tolerates strong winds, though it does not suit coastal exposure. Honey fungus is a concern, as this species is susceptible. These limits matter when choosing a lasting place in the garden. Shelter from coastal conditions does not remove the need for moist soil.

Propagation options include seed, cuttings, and mound layering. Sow seed on the surface in a greenhouse in spring. Keep seedlings under cover through at least their first winter. Plant them out after the risk of late frost. Half-ripe cuttings can be taken in July or August. Mature wood cuttings offer another option in late autumn. Plants For A Future records cooked leaves as food, served with rice. It gives them a low edible-use score. It reports no known hazards, but provides no detailed safety assessment. The same source records no medicinal or other uses.