Practical
Plants

Hydrangea aspera

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Hydrangea genus in the family Hydrangeaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
moderate
Height
4 m
Spread
4 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

There is a report that the fresh plant contains the toxin hydrogen cyanide[9]. In small quantities, hydrogen cyanide has been shown to stimulate respiration and improve digestion, it is also claimed to be of benefit in the treatment of cancer. In excess, however, it can cause respiratory failure and even death.

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The leaves are used as a tea substitute[4][5]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Product or use
Tea

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China to the Himalayas.
Habitat
Scrub and forest in the mountains, 1200 - 2700 metres from Uttar Pradesh to S.W. China and Burma[11][6]. Dense forests or thickets in valleys or on mountain slopes[10].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
very acid, acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - surface sow in a greenhouse in spring[3]. Cover the pot with paper until the seed germinates[12]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 8cm long, July/August in a frame. Overwinter in a greenhouse and plant out in late spring[12]. Cuttings of mature wood in late autumn in a frame[7]. Mound layering in spring. Takes 12 months[12]. Leaf-bud cuttings of the current seasons growth in a frame[7].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in most good soils, including chalk[6].This species is one of the most chalk-tolerant members of the genus[7]. Tolerates most soils[7], thriving in a well-drained loamy soil[1], but resenting dryness at the roots[2][7]. Succeeds in full sun or semi-shade[7], but if it is grown in a low rainfall area then it requires shade at the hottest part of the day[2]. Does well on very acid soils with a pH around 4.5[7]. The colour of the flowers reflects the pH of the soil the plant is growing in, the flowers are pink in a neutral to alkaline soil and blue in an acid soil. Grows well in an open woodland garden[7]. Although fairly tolerant of soil type, this species is not very easy to grow well, it is best given a dryish soil, it resents winter wet[2]. Dormant plants are hardy to about -15°c[6]. They are somewhat tender when young, and the young growth of older plants is also susceptible to damage by late frosts[2]. Plants resent being pruned[8]. This species is notably susceptible to honey fungus[7].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

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  3. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

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  4. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

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  5. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

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  6. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

  7. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9

  8. Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-670-82929-3

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  9. Medicinal Plants of Nepal Dept. of Medicinal Plants. Nepal. 1993-00-00

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  10. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

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  11. Polunin. O. and Stainton. A. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press 1984-00-00

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  12. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

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