Mountain Hydrangea— Hydrangea serrata

Description

Garden hydrangeas typically wow us with their huge panicles of blooms dangling from branches grown arched from their weight— and if we are lucky, some degree of fall foliage color before becoming sticks in the winter landscape. A little patience is rewarded however if we choose the more delicate woodland varieties native to Japan’s forests. These shrubs have a unique charm— rarely translated into bonsai. Along with hydrangea aspera, the serrata species hydrangeas have several months bloom time, and foliage can vary from soft yellow seen here to vivid scarlet and soft burgundy reds, depending on the season and vagaries of weather. Add resilience and you have the most gracious of guests in your life. Worth starting a collection? We think so…