This small to medium-sized shrub is rare in the central Piedmont of NC, but very common in the mountains. Flat-topped clusters of white flowers are produced in early summer. Despite the name arborescens, this shrub has no aspirations of being a tree - it's rarely taller than 5-6 feet.

Carroll Co., VA 6/29/03.

Leaves are opposite, broadly ovate, acuminate, and sharply toothed.

Hydrangea arborescens is the most common Hydrangea in NC, common in the Mountains, occasional in the Piedmont, and rare in the Coastal Plain. The other two species in the state, Hydrangea cinerea (Ashy Hydrangea) and Hydrangea radiata (Silverleaf Hydrangea), are much less common.

Carroll Co., VA 6/29/03.

Varying numbers of showy sterile flowers may be present on the edges of the inflorescence, which is arranged in a cyme. Cultivated forms may consist of nothing but the showy sterile flowers.

Carroll Co., VA 7/14/07.

The sterile flowers stay attached after flowering has finished.

Carroll Co., VA 7/14/07.

Developing fruits. The capsules, dry when mature, are poricidally dehiscent, spreading seeds from holes along the sides.

Carroll Co., VA 7/14/07.