What soil does Mountain hydrangea grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, acidic.

Is Mountain hydrangea hardy?

Hardy down to -23 °C (USDA zone 6, RHS H7). In the colder parts of the country (Podlaskie Voivodeship) it may not survive winter without protection.

How far from the house should Mountain hydrangea be planted?

Plant it at least 1 m from buildings. Keep it at least 0.5 m from paving.

When does Mountain hydrangea flower?

Flowering: June–August, pink, blue, white.

How much water does Mountain hydrangea need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: low.

Mountain hydrangea

Hydrangea serrata

Mountain hydrangea (Hydrangea serrata) is a shrub. Light: part shade. Hardy down to -23 °C. Drought tolerance: low. Toxic to dogs and cats. Sold in local shops from about PLN 15.

Illustration of Mountain hydrangea — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A smaller, more compact and somewhat hardier relative of the bigleaf hydrangea: its flat lacecap heads carry tiny fertile flowers ringed by a few larger showy ones, and the colour runs from blue to pink depending on soil pH. Give it a sheltered spot in part shade with moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil and water it regularly in summer, because it copes badly with scorching sun and drying out. It flowers on last year's stems, so prune only after flowering and do not cut it back in spring.

Watch out for

The flower buds overwinter on last year's stems, so in Central Europe a hard winter or a late spring frost can wipe out part or all of the bloom, and in a very cold winter the shrub may die back to the ground. In hot, dry summers the leaves and flowers scorch in full sun and the plant wilts without regular watering. Its thin leaves make it more prone to powdery mildew than the bigleaf hydrangea, and leaf spot and aphids also occur. On alkaline soil the flowers stay pink; blue needs acidic soil.

Key facts

Light: Part shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Medium
Size after 10 years: 1 m × 1 m
Hardiness: down to -23 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D June–August, pink, blue, white

All details

Group	Shrub
Light	Part shade
Size after 10 years	1 m × 1 m
Ultimate size	0.6–1.2 m × 0.6–1.2 m
Hardiness	down to -23 °C (USDA 6, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Acidic
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	June–August, pink, blue, white
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Low
Maintenance	Medium
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	at least 1 m
Distance from paving	at least 0.5 m
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	80 cm
For dogs	Toxic
For cats	Toxic
For children	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	from about PLN 15

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
size not stated	approx. PLN 15

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 17, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Shrubs for part shade Shrubs for pollinators Plants for containers Flowering shrubs Plants with autumn colour Shrubs with autumn colour

Guide on the topic

Planting and pruning hydrangeas: which to cut back when For pruning, hydrangeas fall into two groups. Panicle and smooth hydrangeas (such as 'Annabelle') flower on this year's shoots: cut them back to 25-60 cm in February or March. Bigleaf and mountain hydrangeas flower from buds that grew last year: in spring take off only the faded flowers, or they will not flower that year. Plant in autumn or spring, with plenty of water; for limy soil choose panicle or smooth hydrangea, as bigleaf hydrangea wants acid or neutral soil and afternoon shade.

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Mountain hydrangea vs Panicle hydrangea

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