What soil does Smooth hydrangea grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, clay, sandy, acidic, calcareous.

Is Smooth hydrangea hardy?

Hardy down to -34 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

Is Smooth hydrangea toxic to children?

Yes, it is mildly toxic to children.

How far from the house should Smooth hydrangea be planted?

Plant it at least 1.5 m from buildings. Keep it at least 0.5 m from paving.

When does Smooth hydrangea flower?

Flowering: June–September, white, pink, green.

How much water does Smooth hydrangea need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: low.

How much does Smooth hydrangea cost?

It sells for roughly HUF 4,900 to HUF 16,000 in local shops, depending on size.

Smooth hydrangea

Hydrangea arborescens

Smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens) is a shrub. Light: part shade, full sun. Hardy down to -34 °C. Drought tolerance: low. Toxic to dogs and cats, mildly toxic to children. Sold in local shops from about HUF 4,900.

Illustration of Smooth 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 rounded deciduous hydrangea that carries big globe-shaped flower heads from early summer on the current year's shoots, so it blooms reliably even after a hard winter or a hard spring cut. Cultivars differ in stem strength, flower colour and size: the heads of the old white Annabelle bend to the ground after rain, the sturdier Strong Annabelle (Incrediball) holds them better, Pink Annabelle (Invincibelle) is pink and Lime Rickey greenish, so check stem strength and mature size when choosing. It is happiest in part shade and moist soil; plant it in sun only if you can water regularly. It slowly thickens into a widening clump by suckers.

Watch out for

In Central Europe summer heat and drought are its main enemy: in hot sun without watering the leaves wilt and scorch and the flower heads stay smaller. After rain the big heads of the weaker-stemmed cultivars pull the shoots to the ground, so give them support or cut back only to 30 to 40 cm in spring to build a sturdier framework. Powdery mildew and leaf spot can appear in humid weather and aphids on young shoots, but they are rarely serious.

Key facts

Light: Part shade, Full sun
Water need: Medium
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 1.3 m × 1.5 m
Hardiness: down to -34 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D June–September, white, pink, green

Group	Shrub
Light	Part shade, Full sun
Size after 10 years	1.3 m × 1.5 m
Ultimate size	0.9–1.8 m × 0.9–1.8 m
Hardiness	down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Acidic, Calcareous
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	June–September, white, pink, green
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Low
Maintenance	Low
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	yes
Spreading	Medium
Distance from buildings	at least 1.5 m
Distance from paving	at least 0.5 m
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	100 cm
For dogs	Toxic
For cats	Toxic
For children	Mildly toxic
Typical price	from about HUF 4,900

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
40-60 cm	approx. HUF 9,000
size not stated	approx. HUF 4,900 – HUF 16,000

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 12, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Shrubs for part shade Plants for containers Low-maintenance shrubs Flowering shrubs

Compare with similar plants

Smooth hydrangea vs Bigleaf hydrangea Smooth hydrangea vs Panicle hydrangea Smooth hydrangea vs Smooth hydrangea 'Annabelle'

Looks good next to it

Morrow’s sedge

Carex morrowii

Persian ivy

Hedera colchica

Mountain sandwort

Arenaria montana