Chinese Hydrangea Plant Care

Chinese Hydrangea (Hydrangea longipes) belongs to the Hydrangeaceae family within the Hydrangea genus. Chinese Hydrangea is native to western China.

Chinese Hydrangea displays a deciduous shrub, mounding habit growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 6 ft. Chinese Hydrangea produces large, showy clusters of pink, blue, purple, or white flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Chinese Hydrangea every 3–7 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Chinese Hydrangea thrives in partial shade to filtered sun. Avoid placing Chinese Hydrangea in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Hydrangea longipes tolerates temperatures of 60–75°F. Chinese Hydrangea prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Rich, moist, well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Chinese Hydrangea to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Chinese Hydrangea every 4 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with partial shade to filtered sun and rich, moist, well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Chinese Hydrangea is suited to USDA Zone 6a – 9b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Chinese Hydrangea can spread to about 6 ft (1.8 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 6 ft (1.8 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Chinese Hydrangea while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Chinese Hydrangea is hardy down to USDA zone 6a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown trees need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Chinese Hydrangea can be propagated through softwood cuttings, layering, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to hydrangea plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Chinese Hydrangea is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, scale insects. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Chinese Hydrangea grows outdoors in USDA Zone 6a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 6a. Chinese Hydrangea is native to western China.