Wholesale Hydrangea

01.
A Bit of Botany

a little botanical information for hydrangea

description
Hydrangea arborescens is a species of flowering plant in the Hydrangeaceae family. It is a small- to medium-sized, deciduous shrub up to 3 m (10 ft) tall. The inflorescence of smooth hydrangea is a corymb. The showy, sterile flowers are usually absent or if present they are usually less than 1 cm in diameter. Flowering occurs May to July. Fruit is a ribbed brown capsule about 2 mm long; many are produced. The leaves of smooth hydrangea are large (8 to 18 cm long), opposite, serrated, ovate, and deciduous. The lower leaf surface is glabrous or with inconspicuous fine hairs, appearing green; trichomes of the lower surface are restricted to the midrib and major veins.

common names & nomenclature
The stem bark has a peculiar tendency to peel off in several successive thin layers with different colors, hence the common name "sevenbark".

Also known as:
smooth hydrangea, wild hydrangea, sevenbark, seven barks, common hydrangea

02.
Where in the World

habitat and range for hydrangea

Hydrangea arborescens is native to the eastern United States. It is widely distributed across the eastern United States—from southern New York to the panhandle of Florida, west to eastern Oklahoma and southeastern Kansas.

03.
Cultivation & Harvesting

considerations for growing and harvesting hydrangea

climate
It is mainly found under a hardwood forest canopy and is often common along woodland road banks and streams.

soil
Grows primarily in moist fertile soils rich in organic matter.

growing
Hydrangea can spread rapidly by stolons to form colonies, so can be divided in late winter and planted directly in the garden. Sow seed in a greenhouse in spring. Cover the pot with paper until the seed germinates. When they are large enough to handle, transplant seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent location in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.

harvesting
The roots are harvested in the autumn and it is best to cut them into short sections before drying them.

preserving
Store dried hydrangea root pieces in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

04.
The Rest of the Story

hydrangea history, folklore, literature & more

Hydrangea is a genus of flowering shrubs with ancient origins, with fossil evidence indicating its presence in Asia millions of years ago and later in North America. The herbal material commonly referred to as hydrangea root is derived from smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens), a species native to the eastern United States and sometimes called “seven barks.”

Hydrangea root has a long history of traditional use among Native American communities and early settlers. It continues to be valued today as a traditional North American botanical with deep cultural roots.