Hydrangea serrata
saw-toothed hydrangea
A deciduous shrub, with narrowly ovate, serrated green leaves that often produce good autumn colour. This is a compact species, not usually more than 1.2m high and often much smaller. Flowers are produced from mid to late summer, in domed or flattened heads made up of very small fertile flowers and larger sterile ones. Flower colours range from red to blue depending on the pH of the soil, or sometimes white
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Red Pink Purple Blue White | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green Orange Red | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Hydrangeaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- Potentially harmful
- Skin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets (dogs, cats): Harmful if eaten. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
- Genus
Hydrangea can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs, or self-clinging climbers, with flowers in clusters usually comprising both small fertile and more showy sterile flowers; often good autumn colour
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Japan & Korea
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in any moist but well-drained soil in partial shade or grow in sun if soil remains reliably moist. Improve chalky soils with organic matter to support good growth. See shrubby hydrangea cultivation for further advice
Propagation
Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer, or by hardwood cuttings in winter
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Flower borders and beds
- Wall side borders
Pruning
See pruning group 4 (hydrangeas)
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids, capsid bug, red spider mite, stem and bulb eelworm, vine weevil and scale insects
Diseases
May be susceptible to a leaf spot, powdery mildews, grey moulds (Botrytis) and honey fungus (rarely)
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.