2024 Native of the Year!

Creating an ethereal site in the shade garden Hydrangea arborescens, Smooth Hydrangea is a cherished native shrub. Honey-scented clouds of large, 2-6″ creamy white, dome-shaped flowers appear for months beginning in May. Smooth Hydrangea will flower abundantly from May through July, with a scattering of additional flowers appearing into September. Its large flowers are held on sturdy, non-drooping stems. The nectar-rich flowers are visited by bees, butterflies, and many other pollinators, creating a living hub of pollinator activity. The shrub matures to 3-5′ tall and wide.

Smooth Hydrangea works well massed as a hedge, in a mixed garden, or as a specimen. It can be naturalized in woodland, native, or rain gardens. Smooth Hydrangea forms a luscious background for perennial gardens. Plant a few Smooth Hydrangea behind an ornamental bench to create a beautiful spot to enjoy nature. Its flowers are fantastic, fresh or dried.

It was designated a Plant of Merit by the Missouri Botanical Gardens for its outstanding ornamental value and dependable landscape performance.

Growing instructions: Smooth Hydrangea is easy to grow. It tolerates many different soils and moisture conditions. It prefers shade to part shade and even grows in deep shade. Hydrangea arborescens blooms on new wood. Prune it back close to the ground in late winter to revitalize the shrub and encourage vigorous stem growth. Keep it well-watered when the plant is getting established, budding, and blooming. Although drought tolerant, you get the biggest plant and flowers if the plant is kept watered during dry spells.

A featured plant of the Missouri Prairie Foundation Grow Native Pollinator Buffet program, a collection of plants identified as important to pollinators. See all the Pollinator Buffet plants here >>>