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Hydrangea febrifuga

Chinese quinine

An neat-growing, bushy evergreen shrub with glossy dark green leaves and growing to a height of 2-3m. For several months over summer, bears blue and white flowers in clusters followed by blue berries

Synonyms
Dichroa febrifuga
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Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
2.5–4 metres
Growing conditions
Sand
Loam
Clay
Moisture
Well–drained, Moist but well–drained
pH
Neutral, Acid
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Blue Pink Green
Autumn Green Purple Blue
Winter Green
Position
  • Partial shade
Aspect

North–facing or East–facing or West–facing or South–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H3
Botanical details
Family
Hydrangeaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
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
SE Asia

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 seed, or by semi-ripe cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Patio and container plants
  • Coastal
  • Sub-tropical
  • Low Maintenance
  • Conservatory and greenhouse
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Wall side borders
Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, capsid bug, hydrangea scale and vine weevil

Diseases

May be susceptible to a leaf spot, powdery mildews, grey moulds (Botrytis) and honey fungus (rarely)

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