Information from both "Hydrangeas for American Gardens," by Michael A. Dirr (2004) and "Encyclopedia of Hydrangeas" C.J. and D.M. Van Gel...Read Morederen (2004 - Timber Press).
A very sturdy shrub up to 16', with thick, strong branches unlike those of any other cultivar. Leaves are large, yellow-green at first, later darker green. Flowering time is early in the season, usually in June. The flattened 6" panicles are smaller, with a mixture of fertile and showy flowers. This plant flowers on last season's growth and should not be pruned until after flowering. The sepals are prominently toothed, which is different from those of the species.
The parent plant is more than 100 years old about 12 to 15 feet tall and 18 feet wide, and resides at the Arnold Arboretum in MA. The origin is attributed to Charles S. Sargent of that facility, who discovered this form in the wilds of Japan. He collected seeds in 1893 from which the Arnold's current specimen is derived.
Information from both "Hydrangeas for American Gardens," by Michael A. Dirr (2004) and "Encyclopedia of Hydrangeas" C.J. and D.M. Van Gel...Read More
The foliage of this cultivar is yellow-green. The flowers are cream colored, and more lace-cap shaped than conical. It blooms earlier than most.