Is this a hydrangea?

6 years ago

Hello, and thank you in advance to anyone who might be able to help me. I purchased a home three years ago and these plants were already here. In the three years I have done nothing to them other than to remove dead branches. Their size nor shape have changed. Despite getting plenty of water, and being sited under an oak tree where they get dappled shade, they always look sad and do not bloom. As you can see from the photos there are what appear to be buds/flower like growths, but they do not mature into a bloom. Unfortunately, deer think it is delicious.

What is it, and how can I better care for it?

Featured Answer

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

6 years ago

They do appear to be smooth or wild hydrangeas, Hydrangea arborescens. Named forms often produce very large, pure white flowerheads but the species often produces smaller, much less showy lacecap type blooms.

And as you've noticed, deer tend to be especially fond of hydrangea flower buds!! Unless you spray routinely with a repellent or otherwise keep the deer away, you may never see them flower to their full potential.

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Comments (6)

fraker
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you! After doing some research, I have come across a number of images of limelight flower buds which look exactly like the ones on my plant. After further researching the limelights, I find competing advice. Some say to cut them down completely each fall or winter, others say to let them be. What have other gardeners had success with?
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carol23_gw
6 years ago
As far as I know ' Limelight' is a paniculata Hydrangea which yours is not. Yours is the native arborescens.
fraker thanked carol23_gw
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
6 years ago
Agree with carol. Paniculatas, of which 'Limelight' is a popular and large cultivar, have very different flowerheads from what you are showing. Flowers are produced in cones, not rounded balls or flattened lacecaps, consisting of mostly sterile flowers. Yours are showing the smaller, less showy, mostly fertile florets.
fraker thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
lindac92
6 years ago
Looks like it might be a viburnum.
fraker thanked lindac92
fraker
Original Author
6 years ago
Ok, got it! Arborescens. Apparently I am a little slow on the up-take today! I will do some reading online. Thank you to each of you who responded and re-set me on the right path.