Smooth Hydrangeas Not Ruffled By The Winter

By Phran Novelli

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - For all the fuss about the trouble with old fashioned pink and blue hydrangeas this year, there's a stand out in the garden that's doing just dandy after our harsh winter; our native 'Hydrangea arborescens' also called Smooth Hydrangea.

These native hydrangeas bloom on this year's growth, so cold weather can't freeze their buds off! I planted three small, rather spindly ones last fall and they're already flourishing and flowering; totally fuss free.

Smooth hydrangeas have round white flowerheads that dry on the plant and are great to use in arrangements and wreaths. Recent cultivars include 'Annabelle' with bigger, whiter flowerheads than the species, and there's even a pink-flowered variety called 'Invincibelle Spirit' (seen in full flower in the photo here).

Smooth Hydrangeas are just another good reason to use more native plants in your garden. They're so much less trouble because they already know it can snow around here.