Hydrangeas for Your Zone

Hello Gardeners, I’m Amanda McNulty with Clemson Extension and Making It Grow. Don’t be fooled into thinking that plants of a particular genus are going to have the same needs for a healthy life. For instance, I’ve talked about Hydrangea paniculata, panicle hydrangeas, as really preferring cooler temperatures than many parts of South Carolina. But the French hydrangeas, Hydrangea macrophylla, mostly have the warmer zone five or even six as their upper limit. The gorgeous Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Fuji Waterfall,’ a lacecap, is listed as suitable for cold hardiness zones 6-9, and notes suggest that you be prepared to give it extra water in times of extreme heat. The Monrovia Nursery on-line catalogue suggests it would be a good addition to a woodland garden, where growing under perhaps tall pines would give it a slightly cooler and definitely less sunny exposure. As our summers become more challenging, be aware of zone recommendations when shopping.