Silverleaf Hydrangea Hydrangea radiata
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- hy-DRAN-jee-ah ray-dee-AH-tah
- Description
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Silverleaf Hydrangea is a native deciduous shrub in the hydrangea family. It is found in a relatively small area near the junction of western North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia in rocky forests and rock outcrops, often common and conspicuous on road banks. The showy white sterile flowers surround the fertile smaller florets and attract many pollinators May through July. It grows as a 3 to 6 feet tall, open shrub with a rounded crown and many unbranched stems with shreddy bark. The silvery underleaves are showy as the wind blows. Blooms occur on new wood so plants can be pruned close to the ground in late winter to rejuvenate.
This plant prefers part shade, in medium-moisture, organic, well-drained, acid soil conditions. Use in the woodland garden in partial to full shade. The more sun this plant receives, the more water it will require. Use in a massed or grouped shrub border or in the woodland native garden.
- 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:
- radiata
- Family:
- Hydrangeaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central and southeastern U.S.A.
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant attracts birds, butterflies, other pollinators, and small mammals.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Rounded
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Dry, light brown, ribbed, dehiscent seed capsules appearing in early fall, October-November.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Corymb
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Sterile white flowers surround fertile florets and bloom from May to July. Clusters are 3-6 inches wide.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- 2-8 inch long green leaves with toothed edges and white/silver underside of its leaves,
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Bark Description:
- Shreddy bark
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
