Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas are an Ashwood speciality, with our hydrangea exhibits at Chelsea and Gardeners World Live receiving Gold Medals. As well as cultivars of Hydrangea macrophylla and serrata, we also offer a superb selection of other hydrangea species and their cultivars including aspera, arborescens, paniculata, and quercifolia.

The macrophyllas are the most popular and widespread hydrangea of gardens. Their large mophead flowers in shades of blue, violet, red, pink and white are indispensable for mid to late summer colour in the garden and their dried flower heads often persist into winter. They are also available less commonly in lacecap form with large sterile florets placed around the central fertile flowers. Hydrangea serrata cultivars, prized for their exquisite delicate beauty, are similar to macrophylla but more slender in stature, typically with smaller flowers arranged in lacecap form.

H. macrophylla and H. serrata are almost unique in the plant world in their ability to change their flower colour in response to the pH and mineral content of the soil, but that is surely part of the magic and charm of growing them. For more cultural information on how to achieve the colour of your choice we advise that you read our How to grow hydrangeas article.

If possible do try and visit us from June to October and you will find our hydrangeas beautifully displayed in our inspirational sales area.  Additonally during July we are hold a special event ‘Shades of Summer’ which celebrates this wonderful genus.

If you are able to visit on ‘John’s Garden’ open days in July and September, you will be able to see a fine collection of hydrangeas growing in the nursery owner’s beautiful garden.