Hydrangea serrata 'Blue Bird'
LACECAP HYDRANGEA, MOUNTAIN HYDRANGEA, SAWTOOTH HYDRANGEA
Family: Hydrangeaceae
Pronounced: hi-DRANG-gee-a sair-AY-tuh
Quick Jumps
Growing Guide
Rainy Side Notes
GROWING GUIDE
Origin:
Garden.
Plant Group:
Shrubs.
Hardiness:
Sunset zones: 3b-9, 14-24.
USDA zones: 6-9.
Mature size:
Height: 4-6 feet (1-2 m).
Width: 4-6 feet.
Flowering period:
Mid to late summer.
Flowering attributes:
In the maritime Northwest where soils tend to be acidic H. 'Blue Wave' produces pale lilac-blue sterile flowers (large outside flowers) and deep blue fertile flowers (small inside flowers). In soils where lime is added, the flowers will be pink. On this variety, the flowers fade to a pink as the flower ages.
Leaf attributes:
Deciduous, coarsely toothed, dark green, eight inch long leaves.
Growth habit:
Rounded deciduous shrub.
Light:
Partial shade, afternoon shade is best.
Soil:
Rich, moist, well-drained soil.
Feeding:
Side dress with compost and manures. Add a complete organic fertilizer to the soil in spring.
Propagation Methods:
Softwood cuttings in early to late summer.
Pruning Methods:
Flowers on old wood. Trim old blossoms after it blooms. To encourage larger blossoms on established shrubs prune out 1/3 of the stems cutting at the base of the plant. This will also keep the shrub healthy, opening up the plant for good air circulation.
Rainy Side Notes
They don't call it Hydrangea for nothing! Keep it well watered when establishing a new shrub. Provide plenty of humus to the soil. I give mine a good deep soak once a week in summer when our drought occurs.
Hydrangea comes from the Greek words, hydor for water and aggos for jar, which refers to the cup-shaped fruit. The cultivar name used to have the Japanese name, 'Aigaku'. It was renamed 'Blue Bird' by Haworth-Booth.
Flowers of this hydrangea will be blue in our typical acid soils of the Northwest. There is no need to add acidic fertilizers to keep the flowers blue. For pink flowers add lime to the soils. At one time I thought the flowers turned pink towards the end of summer. What really happens is the flowers turn upside down showing their pink undersides.
For fresh cut flowers harvest when the flowers are completely opened. For longest lasting cut flowers, harvest and place as soon as possible into five to seven inches of hot water at 110-120°F (43-49°C). Immediately place them into the refrigerator and keep there for eight hours. Re-cut stems for vase and put in hot water again. The flowers will last up to 14 days. The flowers do not do well with floral foams, as they cannot uptake enough water.
More Hydrangeas.Photographed in author's garden.
Gardening for the Homebrewer: Grow and Process Plants for Making Beer, Wine, Gruit, Cider, Perry, and More
By co-authors Debbie Teashon (Rainy Side Gardeners) and Wendy Tweton