Virginia Tech Dendrology

wild hydrangea Hydrangeaceae Hydrangea arborescens L. symbol: HYAR
Leaf: Opposite, simple, serrated margin, heart-shaped, 4 to 10 inches long, upper surface dull dark green, lower surface slightly paler.
Flower: Flat-topped clusters (4 to 6 inches across) of small white flowers, larger sterile flowers may be present along edges of cluster, appearing in early summer.
Fruit: Dry, light brown capsules appearing in early fall.
Twig: Moderate, light brown to brown, large white pith, scales present where new branches form, buds 1/8 inch long, leaf scar shallow, U-shape with 3 bundle scars.
Bark: Brown, finely shreddy.
Form: Small, 3 to 6 feet tall, open shrub with a round crown and many unbranched stems.
Looks like: bigleaf hydrangea - panicle hydrangea - oakleaf hydrangea

Additional Range Information: Hydrangea arborescens is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
More Information: Fall Color
External Links: USDA Plants Database
All material 2025 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information