hortensia

Also known as: mophead hydrangea

A large, rounded, deciduous shrub with rather coarse, oval, dark green leaves to 20cm long. In mid- and late summer produces large, flattened flowerheads consisting of a few sterile, pink florets with large petals and many small, fertile, blue or pink florets. There are many cultivars, in two group: lacecaps have a few large, sterile florets round the outside with many small fertile florets in the centre; mopheads consist mostly of large, sterile florets

Scientific classification

Species: hortensia (Hydrangea macrophylla)
Genus: Hydrangea
Family: Hydrangeaceae

Skin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Toxicity: Shrubs
Plant type: 1.5-2.5 metres
Height: 1.5-2.5 metres
Spread: Deciduous
Foliage: Bushy
Habit: Spring · Summer · Autumn
Season of interest: Full sun · Partial shade
Sunlight: 15 – 25 °C
Ideal temperature

hortensia pictures

Distribution of hortensia

Distribution map

Japan

Information to be completed

Culture

Information to be completed

Toxicity

Skin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling

Quick identification of hortensia

Information to be completed

hortensia care guide

Keep soil moist, especially in summer
Watering: Full sun · Partial shade
Sunlight: 15 – 25 °C
Ideal temperature

Watering

Keep soil moist, especially in summer

Fertilizing

Monthly in spring and summer

Pruning

Use the method for the hydrangea type: remove faded mophead flowers to the first healthy bud pair; paniculata and arborescens may have last year's stems shortened to healthy bud pairs. Climbing hydrangeas need overlong shoots trimmed after flowering. Most types are pruned in late winter or early spring; climbing hydrangeas are pruned after flowering in summer.

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer or hardwood cuttings in winter

Growing

Grow in any moist but well-drained soil in partial shade or grow in sun if soil remains reliably moist. See shrubby hydrangea cultivation for more detailed advice

More growing and care information →