The Dawes Arboretum

Common name: ashy hydrangea

Family: Hydrangeaceae (hydrangea family)

Synonym: Hydrangea arborescens var. discolor

Distribution: e. United States

Hardiness: USDA Zone 5

Life form: Deciduous shrub/Subshrub

Comments: This multistemmed deciduous shrub is a small to medium sized,plant growing up to 3' tall and wide at a medium
rate. The name of "ashy" or "gray" reflects the ashy or gray appearance of the undersides of its leaves. Blooming in
late spring or early summer, the flowers are pollinated by bees. It is found in deciduous upland and bottomland
forests, shaded cliffs, ravines, streambeds. It is more tolerant of heat and drought than some of the other hydrangea species.