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Tea of Heaven Hydrangea serrata

Previously known as:

  • Hydrangea macrophylla acuminata
  • Hydrangea macrophylla var serrata
Phonetic Spelling
hy-DRAN-jee-ah sair-AY-tuh
Description

Hardier and more compact than H. macrophylla, this plant was previously listed with lacecap hydrangeas due to its flattened flower heads. However, this is a smaller, more compact plant with smaller leaves and flowers. The flowers have clusters of small florets in the center with a few larger, showy florets toward the outside of each cluster. Flower color varies from blue to pink relative to soil pH. There are also some cultivars with mophead form.

Little pruning is required for this hydrangea and should be done after flowering as it blooms on the previous season's stems.  The annual growth rate is about 18". Weak or winter-damaged stems should be pruned away in early spring.

Although this plant can be grown in sun or partial shade, it is a native of Asia and prefers cool growing conditions and will grow best in light to open shade. In warmer climates, a location protected from hot sun will keep the foliage and flowers from prematurely fading or scorching and it will flower more prolifically with consistent summer watering. 

This hydrangea may be more susceptible to powdery mildew than Hydrangea macrophylla due to its thinner leaves. It also has some susceptibility to bud blight, bacterial wilt, and leaf spot and may occasionally be visited by aphids.

More information on Hydrangea.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Annie's Blue', 'Blue Billow', 'Intermedia', 'Omacha Variegata'
Tags:
#showy flowers#deciduous#full sun tolerant#small spaces#interesting flowers#specimen#white flowers#shrub#pink flowers#small shrub#accent plant#mass planting#moist soil#well-drained soil#rich soils#neutral pH#summer flowers#dappled sunlight#coarse#rounded#border planting#cutting garden#acidic soils tolerant#clumping#fantz#dried arrangements#layering#sandy soils tolerant#loamy soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#partial shade tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#woodland garden#container plant#patio
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Annie's Blue', 'Blue Billow', 'Intermedia', 'Omacha Variegata'
Tags:
#showy flowers#deciduous#full sun tolerant#small spaces#interesting flowers#specimen#white flowers#shrub#pink flowers#small shrub#accent plant#mass planting#moist soil#well-drained soil#rich soils#neutral pH#summer flowers#dappled sunlight#coarse#rounded#border planting#cutting garden#acidic soils tolerant#clumping#fantz#dried arrangements#layering#sandy soils tolerant#loamy soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#partial shade tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#woodland garden#container plant#patio
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Hydrangea
    Species:
    serrata
    Family:
    Hydrangeaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Layering
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Japan, Korea
    Edibility:
    Leaves can be used to make a sweet tea. The leaves can also be distilled to create a sweetener.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Poisonous
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • 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
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Dried
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Cross
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Lacecap form has larger, showy florets at the periphery and tiny, fertile florets in the center. Flower color may vary from pink (alkaline) to blue (acidic) depending on soil pH.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Rough
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Lanceolate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Dentate
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Acuminate, finely or coarsely serrate, dark green and usually glabrous above, veins beneath often have short hairs which curl or lie flat against the leaf.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Patio
    Small Space
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Shade Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Wind
    Problems:
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses