Hydrangea queercifolia - Alice

Family: Hydrangeaceae

Common Name(s): NA

Native to: Southern & Eastern Asia

Flowering: December - March

Watering: Keep the soil moist during the dryer months

Planting Aspect: Full Sun, Part Shade

Preferred Climate:

 

Temperate

Description

Hydrangea arborescens - Annabelle
Very hardy and reliable deciduous plant mounded with many suckering stems which are clothed in big, simple serrated leaves up to 15cm long and huge snowball like flowers opening lime green and turning to pure white. Makes a fantastic fresh cut flower, lasting 4-8 days and a fabulous dried flower lasting a year or longer. Height 1.8 to 2.4m and an even greater spread.

Hydrangea queercifolia - Oak Leaf Hydrangea
A hardy deciduous shrub with deeply lobed, dark green leaves which change to orange-scarlet in autumn. Queercifolia produces columnar shaped flower heads of small white fertile and sterile blooms. The white sterile ones eventually fade to pink and violet in late summer to early autumn. Height 1.8 to 2.4m and an even greater spread.

Cultivation

Hydrangea arborescens - Annabelle
The plant is best positioned to take advantage of morning sun and light afternoon shade. Will tolerate full sun, however flowers fade quickly. Annabelle can also tolerate more shade but be careful, as the growth may become leggy and thin reaching to find more sun. Yearly pruning should be by ½ the shrubs’ overall height each spring. Position in a moist but not waterlogged soil with shelter from cold winds. Prepare the site by digging in some peat or suitable organic matter and fertiliser.

Hydrangea queercifolia - Oak Leaf Hydrangea
Plant in a lightly shaded, protected position in moist but well drained, moderately fertile, humus rich soil. Complete fertiliser or Hydrangea food can be mixed with the soil at planting and top dress annually in spring. Prune in late winter or early spring when dormant. Remove wayward or cross shoots to maintain permanent healthy framework and compact shrub.