Practical
Plants

Hydrangea macrophylla

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
Height
3 m
Spread
3 m
Fertility
Bees
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Edible uses

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

The young leaves, when dried and rubbed between the hands, become very sweet and are used to make a sweet tea called 'tea of heaven', it is used in Buddhist ceremonies[9]. The leaves contain phellodulcin (its chemical formula is C16 H14 O), a very sweet substance that can be used as a sugar substitute[5][9]. One small leaf is sufficient to sweeten a cup of tea[13]. The older leaves can be dried, powdered and used as a flavouring on foods[2][7]. The young leaves and shoots are also eaten cooked[2][7]. Young leaves contain the toxin hydrocyanic acid, this reduces as the leaves grow older, often to zero levels[13].

Plant part
Leaves
Product or use
Sweetener

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

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

The leaves, roots and flowers are antimalarial, antitussive and diuretic[13][14]. They are said to be a more potent antimalarial than quinine, due to the presence of an alkaloid[14].

Product or use
Antiperiodic
Product or use
Antitussive
Product or use
Diuretic

Material uses

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

A useful hedging plant because of its vigorous growth. The Hortensias or mop-head cultivars are recommended[12].

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Japan.
Habitat
Sunny places near the coast of E. Japan[3].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
very acid, acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
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[4]. Cover the pot with paper until the seed germinates[15]. 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[15]. Cuttings of mature wood in late autumn in a frame[12]. Mound layering in spring. Takes 12 months[15]. Leaf-bud cuttings of the current seasons growth in a frame[12].

Cultivation

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

Tolerates most soil[12], thriving in a well-drained loamy soil[1], but resenting dryness at the roots[3][12]. Succeeds in full sun or semi-shade[12], but if it is grown in a low rainfall area then it requires shade at the hottest part of the day[3]. Prefers a shady position[1]. Does well on very acid soils with a pH around 4.5[12]. Plants also tolerate alkaline soils, though they become chlorotic on shallow soils over chalk[12]. 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[12]. A very wind resistant plant when grown in mild areas[6]. Dormant plants are hardy to about -10°c[10], though the young growth in spring is frost-tender[K]. A very ornamental plant and polymorphic species[12], there are many named varieties[10]. This species was named for a sterile (or 'mop head') cultivar so that the true species should really be referred to as H. macrophylla normalis[8]. Plants are cultivated for their leaves in China and Japan. Plants are very tolerant of pruning and can be cut back into old wood if required[11]. This species is notably susceptible to honey fungus[12].

References

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

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  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. 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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  5. Brooklyn Botanic Garden Oriental Herbs and Vegetables, Vol 39 No. 2. Brooklyn Botanic Garden 1986-00-00

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  6. Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent 1990-00-00

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

    ↩1↩2

  8. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2

  11. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

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  12. 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↩10↩11

  13. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2↩3

  14. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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