Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Hydrangeaceae

Genus:

Hydrangea

Species:

Hydrangea radiata

USDA Symbol:

HYRA6

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Shrub

Height:

250 cm

Light Requirements:

Part Shade

Drought Tolerance:

Medium

Bloom Months:

may,jun,jul

Bloom Colors:

white

Landscaping Shrub:

Yes

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)

Butterflies & Moths:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)

Caterpillars:

★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:

★★☆☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

bees, butterflies

Fall Color:

yellow

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Resprouts from root crown following fire or cutting. Typical of Appalachian understory shrubs.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

rich, well-drained loamy soil

pH:

5.5 - 6.5 (slightly acidic)

Drainage:

good drainage required

Moisture:

consistently moist

Notes:

prefers organic matter-rich environments

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days

Germination Time:

14–42 days

Notes:

Seeds require light for germination. Surface sow and do not cover.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI