Hydrangea serrata

Hydrangea serrata are small deciduous shrubs similar to H.macrophylla and usually with lace cap flowers that are flat with small flowers without petals in the centre and showy flowers with petals on the outside. Native of the  mountains of Japan and part of South Korea were it grows in mountainous woodland. 

The Flower colour of Hydrangea serrata will vary with soil type and most Hydrangea serrata will form round bushes between 1m and 3m tall.

The flowers of the pink Hydrangea serrata varieties will usually go blue in acid soils, but stay pink in alkaline soils. Blue flowers will only remain blue if the soil is acid and there is sufficient Aluminium Sulphate in the compost or soil, if the soil is alkaline the flowers will be pink. White varieties do not change colour with the soil. 

If the variety has blue or pink in its name this does not mean that the flowers will come out that colour. 

The technical explanation - the blue colour of Hydrangea serrata flowers is determined by the presence of an Anthrocynin Delphinidin 3 - Monoglucoside. The blue colour  is caused by the binding of Aluminium Sulphate with the Anthrocynin. This happens under acid soil conditions. 

Pruning Hydrangea serrata varieties. 

Remove dead heads in spring (late March/early April), and thin out weak and dead stems. You can thin the brown stems to get larger flowers. Do not prune in the autumn as the old flowers give some frost protection to young shoots in early spring. The brown flower heads also look great in winter when covered in frost. If you need to shorten the plant always cut above a bud. 

*Please note any hydrangeas with no add to cart button unless otherwise stated are currently out of stock or are only available in limited numbers. Please contact us to check availability 01622 833218 thank you.