Smooth Hydrangea Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA4'
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Smooth Hydrangea:
- Phonetic Spelling
- hy-DRAN-jee-uh ar-bor-RES-senz
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Hydrangea, Incrediball™ Blush has large pink flower heads that progress from blush pink to deep pink, and then age to an attractive chartreuse green in fall. It is a good flower for cutting as it has stiff stems with dark leaves. Flower heads reach their maximum size after establishing, roughly 3 years. This plant is dependable and cold hardy. Because the plant blooms on new wood, late winter pruning will encourage vigorous new stem growth and good form.
In cooler climates Incrediball™ Blush prefers full sun to produce strong stems, the largest blooms with the most vibrant color. However, in warmer climates afternoon shade is advisable and it will tolerate full sun only if grown with consistent moisture.
The Incrediball™ series was developed as a collaboration with Dr. Thomas G. Ranney of NC State University and the Spring Meadow Nursery of Grand Haven, MI. U.S. Plant Patent Applied for (PPAF, PP 28,280).
VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Hydrangea
- Species:
- arborescens
- Family:
- Hydrangeaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- US Cultivar
- Fire Risk Rating:
- low flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- The hydrangea flowers are attractive to butterflies and other insects. Songbirds eat the seeds. It is the host plant of the hydrangea sphinx moth.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Colorful
- Easy to Grow
- Wildlife Food Source
- Wildlife Larval Host
- Dimensions:
- Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Mounding
- Multi-stemmed
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Dehiscent seed capsules ripen in October-November.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Pink
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Corymb
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Good Dried
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Dome
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Extra-large mounded blossoms are silvery pink with dark green foliage and sturdy stems with a long blooming season.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Obovate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- This hydrangea has gray-brown stems are clad with opposite, simple, broad egg-shaped to rounded, sharply toothed, dark green leaves (2-6” long) with pale green undersides. The leaves turn yellow in fall. The lower leaf surface is smooth or with inconspicuous fine hairs.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Peeling
- Shredding
- Bark Description:
- Brown and finely shredded, peels off in thin layers with different colors.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Strong sturdy stems hold up large blooms easily.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Dry Soil
- Erosion
- Rabbits
- Salt
- Wet Soil
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN. Nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, depression, diarrhea, and sweating. Cyanide intoxication is rare - usually produces more of a gastrointestinal disturbance.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Hydrangin, a cyanogenic glycoside
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Bark
- Flowers
- Leaves
- Stems
