Rough-leaved hydrangea Hydrangea aspera
Rough-leaved hydrangea (Hydrangea aspera) is a deciduous perennial shrub in the Hydrangeaceae family, native to Himalaya through China to Taiwan and northern South-east Asia. It grows 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) tall and 2–3 m (6.6–10 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -20 °C (-4 °F). Space plants about 2 m (6.6 ft) apart.
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Rough-leaved hydrangea at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Hydrangeaceae |
| Mature height | 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) |
| Mature spread | 2–3 m (6.6–10 ft) |
| Spacing | 2 m (6.6 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 3 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -20 °C (-4 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 6) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Flowering | from about July for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Himalaya through China to Taiwan and northern South-east Asia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇿 New Zealand, 🇨🇳 China |
Is Rough-leaved hydrangea toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: leaves, flower buds
Hydrangeas contain cyanogenic glycosides; eating them causes vomiting and diarrhoea in pets.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Rough-leaved hydrangea
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
Questions about Rough-leaved hydrangea
- How far apart should I plant Rough-leaved hydrangea?
- About 2 m (6.6 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 2–3 m (6.6–10 ft).
- Does Rough-leaved hydrangea need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 3 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Rough-leaved hydrangea need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Rough-leaved hydrangea?
- It tolerates about -20 °C (-4 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 6.
- When does Rough-leaved hydrangea flower?
- From about July for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Rough-leaved hydrangea poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. Hydrangeas contain cyanogenic glycosides; eating them causes vomiting and diarrhoea in pets.
- What grows well with Rough-leaved hydrangea?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Rough-leaved hydrangea. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Flora of China, Missouri Botanical Garden & Harvard University Herbaria (eFloras)
- RHS Find a Plant (plant profiles and growing guides), Royal Horticultural Society
Notes and assumptions
- A plant of the cool, misty Himalayan and west Chinese mountains: it wants moist, humus-rich soil and shelter from hot sun and drying wind, and sulks in hot, humid summers.
- Large, velvety, hairy leaves and flat lacecap heads in late summer: a centre of small mauve-blue fertile flowers ringed by white or pink sterile florets. The Villosa Group and the huge-leaved subsp. sargentiana are the forms most grown.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Bigleaf hydrangea Hydrangea macrophylla
- Mock orange Philadelphus coronarius
- Panicle hydrangea Hydrangea paniculata
- Smooth hydrangea 'Annabelle' Hydrangea arborescens
- Climbing hydrangea Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris
- Slender deutzia (himeutsugi) Deutzia gracilis
- Mountain hydrangea (yama-ajisai) Hydrangea serrata
- Yellow wax bells (kirenga-shōma) Kirengeshoma palmata