Hydrangea serrata amagiana PFAF Plant Database

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Hydrangea serrata amagiana - Makino.

Common Name

Family

Hydrangeaceae

Synonyms

H. macrophylla angustata. (Franch.&Savat.)Hara.

Known Hazards

None known

Habitats

Found only on Amagi mountain in the wild[174].

Range

E. Asia - Japan.

Edibility Rating

Medicinal Rating

Care

Summary

Physical Characteristics

Hydrangea serrata amagiana is a deciduous Shrub growing to 2 m (6ft 7in).
It is hardy to zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from Jul to August. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees.

Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

Habitats
Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Hedge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves.
Edible Uses: Sweetener.

The young leaves, even without fermentation[174], are very sweet and are used to make a sweet tea called 'tea of heaven', it is used in Buddhist ceremonies[174]]. The leaves contain phellodulcin (its chemical formula is C16 H14 O), a very sweet substance that can be used as a sugar substitute[174]. The older leaves can be dried, powdered and used as a flavouring on foods[174]. The young leaves and shoots are also eaten cooked[174].

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. None known

Other Uses
Hedge; Hedge. Can be grown as a low hedge[29], it is quite wind tolerant.

Cultivation details

Tolerates most soil[200], thriving in a well-drained loamy soil[1], but resenting dryness at the roots[11, 200]. Succeeds in full sun or semi-shade[200], but if it is grown in a low rainfall area then it requires shade at the hottest part of the day[11]. Does well on very acid soils with a pH around 4.5[200]. The colour of the flowers reflects the pH of the soil the plant is growing in, the flowers are pink in a neutral to alkaline soil and blue in an acid soil. Best grown in an acid soil, doing well on very acid soils (pH 4.5). There is some confusion over the correct name for this plant. We have used the name in [174] but the Flora of Japan[58] says that the correct name is H. macrophylla angustata. Plants are hardy to about -25°c when dormant[200], but the young growth in spring can be killed by late frosts[K]. This species is notably susceptible to honey fungus[200].

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]. Cuttings of mature wood in late autumn in a frame[200]. Mound layering in spring. Takes 12 months[78]. Leaf-bud cuttings of the current seasons growth in a frame[200].

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Expert comment

Author
Makino.

Botanical References
58

Links / References

[K] Ken Fern Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[1]F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956

Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[11]Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.

A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.

[29]Shepherd. F.W. Hedges and Screens.

A small but informative booklet giving details of all the hedging plants being grown in the R.H.S. gardens at Wisley in Surrey.

[58]Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation)

The standard work. Brilliant, but not for the casual reader.

[78]Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers.

A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.

[113]Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation.

A very detailed book on propagating trees. Not for the casual reader.

[174]Kariyone. T. Atlas of Medicinal Plants.

A good Japanese herbal.

[200]Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.

Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

Readers comment

Elizabeth H.
Pam	Wed Sep 22 02:13:58 2004

It grows wonderfully leafy and full, but never blooms, any suggestions? Acidic soil ample rain, partial sun and partial shade.

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