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Hydrangea arborescens - L.

Common Name Seven Barks, Wild hydrangea, Ashy Hydrangea, Snowhill Hydrangea, Smooth Hydrangea
Family Hydrangeaceae
USDA hardiness 4-9
Known Hazards Dizziness, chest pain, gastrointestinal distress. Weak potential for sensitization [301].
Habitats Rich woods, banks of streams and calcareous rocky slopes[43].
Range Eastern N. America - New York to Florida, west to Ohio, Oklahoma and Indiana.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Hydrangea arborescens Seven Barks, Wild hydrangea, Ashy Hydrangea, Snowhill Hydrangea, Smooth Hydrangea


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Hydrangea arborescens Seven Barks, Wild hydrangea, Ashy Hydrangea, Snowhill Hydrangea, Smooth Hydrangea
http://www.inmygarden.org/

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: Blue, Lavender, Pink, Red, White. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Early fall, Late summer, Late spring, Mid summer. Form: Rounded, Spreading or horizontal.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Hydrangea arborescens is a deciduous Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft) by 2 m (6ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Hydrangea vulgaris

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Stem
Edible Uses:

The peeled branches and twigs have been used to make a tea[257]. The new growth of young twigs has been peeled, boiled thoroughly then fried and eaten[257].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Anthelmintic  Cathartic  Diaphoretic  Diuretic  Sialagogue  Tonic

Seven barks was used by the North American Indians as a remedy for kidney and bladder stones and is still used for these purposes in modern herbalism[254]. It is considered to both encourage the expulsion of stones and to help dissolve those that remain[254]. The roots are anthelmintic, cathartic, diaphoretic, diuretic, emetic and tonic[4, 21, 46, 165, 222, 238]. They are used in the treatment of kidney stones, mucous irritations of the bladder, cystitis, nephritis, enlarged prostate and bronchial afflictions[222, 238, 254]. Excessive doses can cause dizziness and bronchial congestion[238]. The fresh roots are very succulent and can be easily cut, when dry they become very tough and resistant[4]. They are harvested in the autumn and it is best to cut them into short sections before drying them[4, 254]. The scraped bark is used as a poultice on wounds, burns, sore muscles, sprains etc[222]. The bark is chewed in the treatment of stomach and heart ailments[222]. The leaves are cathartic, diuretic, sialagogue and tonic[4].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife  Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Foundation, Massing, Specimen. Tolerates most soils[200], thriving in a well-drained loamy soil[1], but resenting dryness at the roots[11, 200]. Requires partial shade[11]. Does well on very acid soils with a pH around 4.5[200]. In frosty areas it is best to site the plant in a position shaded from the early morning sun[238]. A good bee plant[108]. The flowers are sweetly scented[245]. Plants are best left unpruned[49]. Another report says that the previous year's flowering shoots should be cut back in early spring[238]. This species is notably susceptible to honey fungus[200]. Special Features:North American native, Suitable for cut flowers, Suitable for dried flowers, Blooms are very showy.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Seed - surface sow in a greenhouse in spring[113]. Cover the pot with paper until the seed germinates[78]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 8cm long, July/August in a frame. Overwinter in a greenhouse and plant out in late spring[78]. Thick growths make the best cuttings, but these should be placed in individual pots[78]. Good percentage[113]. Cuttings of mature wood in late autumn in a frame[200]. Mound layering in spring. Takes 12 months[78]. Division of suckers in late winter[113]. They can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. Leaf-bud cuttings of the current seasons growth in a frame[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

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Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Botanical References

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Readers comment

José Waizel   Wed May 18 23:49:22 2005

Wild Hydrangea, Indian cherokee medicine for tumours. Hamel, BP. and MU. Chiltoskey. 1975. Cherokee Plants and Their Uses -- A 400 Year History. Sylva, N.C. Herald Publishing Co.

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