Chinese Quinine Hydrangea febrifuga
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Cianitis sylvatica
- Dichroa febrifuga
- Dichroa versicolor
- Phonetic Spelling
- hy-DRAN-jee-uh feb-ri-FEW-guh
- Description
-
Chinese quinine is an evergreen shrub with glossy green leaves in the hydrangea family. It is native to southeast Asia and prefers to grow in partial shade in moist, well-drained, rich soils. The plants prefer acidic soils but can grow in any soil pH, which will have an effect on the flower color. Flowers will be dark blue in acidic soils and pale blue to lilac in alkaline soils. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, and will not tolerate standing water or drought.
This plant can be an attractive accent shrub for lightly shaded borders or foundations and may also be planted as an informal hedge for screening.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Lady in Blue'
- 'Lady in Blue'
- 'Lady in Blue'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Lady in Blue'
- 'Lady in Blue'
- 'Lady in Blue'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Hydrangea
- Species:
- febrifuga
- Family:
- Hydrangeaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Used in Chinese medicine for the reduction of fevers. The root has also been used to treat malaria. The chemical compound febrifugine, derived from this species, is being studied for therapeutic uses to treat cancer and fibrosis. It has also been used to lower blood pressure, relieve chest congestion, and against flu, and intestinal bacterial infections.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- China, Tibet, India, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia
- Wildlife Value:
- Fruit attracts birds.
- Play Value:
- Colorful
- Wildlife Food Source
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 7 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Mounding
- Multi-stemmed
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Blue
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Round gentian blue berries (1/3” diameter) mature in late summer and remain on the plant into winter
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Bi-color flowers (outsides are white but insides are blue) with reflexed petals bloom in June-July in terminal inflorescences to 3-6” diameter. The blue color will be dark in acidic soils and pale blue or lilac in alkaline soils
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The 4-8" long deep green leaf has prominent veins and small serrations
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-
Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
- Surface/Attachment:
- Smooth
-
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- reddish tan stems
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Butterfly Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Hedge
- Screen/Privacy
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Heat
- Pollution
