Hydrangea sargentiana, originally from East Asia, is an impressive shrub with rich green, velvety leaves. The shrub can grow up to two and a half meters high and three meters wide and looks wonderful both in mixed group plantings and as a solitary plant.
Where should a velvet hydrangea be planted?
The ideal location for a velvet hydrangea (Hydrangea sargentiana) is a partially shaded place without direct midday sun that is protected from wind and weather. The soil should be loose, permeable and neutral to slightly acidic, without lime content.
Velvet hydrangeas feel most comfortable in partial shade
Like almost all hydrangeas, the velvet hydrangea is best kept in a partially shaded location without direct midday sun. In addition, the place should protect the plant from wind and weather as much as possible, because the velvet hydrangea - as a plant from temperate to tropical climates - is fairly hardy, but still sensitive. By the way, you can easily see whether your velvet hydrangea feels comfortable in its location: not only does it thrive and bloom better, it also develops runners that can be used to grow new specimens. The soil should be loose, permeable and, if possible, have a neutral to slightly acidic pH value.
Tips & Tricks
Velvet hydrangeas do not like calcareous soil. If you still want to plant a velvet hydrangea in a (very) sandy garden soil, you should improve the soil with plenty of ripe mixed compost, rhododendron soil and clay.
