Hydrangea longipes (27/07/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun to dappled shade
Flowering period: Summer
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 3m
Eventual Spread: 3m
Hardiness: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a
Family: Hydrangeaceae
Hydrangea longipes is a deciduous shrub with a rounded habit. Its dark green leaves are ovate with serrate margins, up to 20cm long and 12cm broad. Its white flowers appear as a terminal corymb and up to 20cm across.
Hydrangea longipes Flower (27/07/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Hydrangea longipes is native to central China. In its native habitat it grows in dense to open forests, thickets and stream banks.
The etymological root of the binomial name Hydrangea is derived from the Greek hydor meaning ‘water’ and aggos meaning ‘jar’ which refers to the plants cusp shaped fruit. Longipes is derived form the Latin longe meaning ‘long’ and pes meaning ‘foot’, in reference to the its long leaf stalks.
The landscape architect may find Hydrangea longipes useful flowering shrub for shady, including woodlands. Due to its compact nature it may be grown as an informal hedge. If grown in full sun its soil should be kept continuously moist.
Ecologically, Hydrangea longipes flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.
Hydrangea longipes Leaf (27/07/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Hydrangea longipes prefers moist, rich, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will not tolerate dry soils.
Hydrangea longipes requires little maintenance. Damaged stems may be removed in early spring.
