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Smooth Hydrangea
Hydrangea Arborescens
A reliable and showy native shrub, the Smooth Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens) offers continuous blooms and a graceful presence in any garden setting.
Includes the plant, delivery to your property, professional installation in an existing landscape area, starter fertilizer, a small compost amendment, light mulch around the new plant, and basic cleanup.
Size
Planting condition
Plant installation is for existing landscape areas only. New beds, sod removal, major removals, grading, drainage, or custom landscaping require a separate quote.
About this plant
Known for its large, rounded clusters of white or greenish-white flowers, the Smooth Hydrangea is a truly captivating addition to your landscape. Unlike some of its fussier cousins, this hardy native thrives with minimal intervention, making it a perfect choice for both novice and experienced gardeners seeking abundant blooms without the extra effort. From late spring through summer, these magnificent blossoms provide a beautiful contrast against its dark green foliage, adding a classic touch to borders, mass plantings, or as a stunning focal point. Its adaptable nature means it performs well in a variety of light conditions, though it truly shines in partial shade, where its blooms last longest. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the Smooth Hydrangea also plays a vital role in supporting local ecosystems, providing valuable nourishment for pollinators and contributing to the biodiversity of your garden all season long.
Installation timing
When we're in season, outside of the winter months, our goal is to get your plants installed within about two weeks. That window gives us enough time to secure your plants from our supplier and find a spot on the schedule. Throughout the process we stay in touch through notifications and your existing client portal on the main A Cut Above website, which is separate from this landscaping plants shop.
Care & maintenance
Smooth Hydrangeas are generally low-maintenance. Prune in late winter or early spring to encourage new growth and more abundant flowering, as it blooms on new wood. Remove spent flowers to keep the plant looking tidy, though this is not strictly necessary for reblooming. A layer of mulch helps retain soil moisture and regulate temperature.
Watering suggestions
Proper watering is the single most important factor in your plant's survival after installation. Newly installed plants have a limited root system and rely on you for consistent moisture while they establish.
- First 2 weeks: Water deeply every day (or every other day in cooler, wet weather), soaking the root ball and surrounding soil.
- Weeks 3โ12: Water deeply 2โ3 times per week, adjusting for rain, heat, and soil drainage.
- After establishment: Water deeply about once a week during the growing season, and more often in extreme heat or drought.
- How to check: Stick a finger 2โ3 inches into the soil near the roots โ if it's dry, it's time to water. Deep, less-frequent watering encourages strong roots; shallow daily sprinkles do not.
- Avoid: Overwatering (soggy, waterlogged soil) is just as harmful as underwatering and can drown roots.
Watering needs vary by plant, season, soil, and exposure. Because proper watering is the customer's responsibility after installation, please make sure you understand and can follow these suggestions before ordering.
Good to know: plants and trees purchased from and installed by A Cut Above include a one-year limited warranty from the date of installation. Because plant survival depends heavily on proper watering and care after installation, losses caused by improper care, neglect, animal or chemical damage, or extreme weather are not covered, and we must be given the chance to inspect a struggling plant before it's removed or replaced. Coverage is one replacement per plant. Read our warranty info.
Quick facts
- Type
- shrub
- Mature height
- 3-5 feet
- Mature width
- 3-5 feet
- Sun
- Full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours of direct sun)
- Water
- Medium; prefers consistently moist, well-drained soils. Drought tolerant once established.
- Growth rate
- Medium