How to Grow Wee White Hydrangea - Plant Care & Tips

By NorwichGardener Team   /   2024

Wee white hydrangea is a plant that is native to eastern Asia. It is a deciduous shrub that can grow to be about 3 feet tall. The leaves are elliptical in shape and are a deep green color. The flowers are white and grow in clusters. The plant blooms from June to August.

How to Grow Wee White Hydrangea - Plant Care & Tips

Alternative name

  • Snowball
  • PeeGee Hydrangea
  • French Hydrangea
  • Hortensia
  • Panicle Hydrangea

Things to Know

  • Wee White Hydrangea is a fast-growing, low-maintenance shrub that can reach up to 4 feet in height.
  • It blooms small, white flowers in clusters from late spring to early summer.
  • The shrub is tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions, including both clay and sand.
  • Wee White Hydrangea is drought tolerant once established, and does not require much supplemental watering.
  • It prefers full sun to partial shade, and will flower best in full sun.
  • The shrub is relatively pest and disease free.
  • Wee White Hydrangea is an excellent choice for mass plantings, hedges, or as a standalone specimen plant.
  • It can be pruned to shape as desired, and is also resistant to deer browsing.
  • The flowers of Wee White Hydrangea can be dried and used in arrangements.
  • This shrub is native to China, and was introduced to North America in the early 1900s.

Related plant:
Hydrangea Paniculata Diamant Rouge

How to Grow

  1. For wee white hydrangea, first step is to plant the shrub in moist, well-drained soil in a location that receives full sun to partial shade.
  2. Space the plants at least 3 feet apart to allow for room to grow.
  3. Water the plants regularly, especially during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system.
  4. Fertilize the plants in early spring with a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-
  5. Prune the plants in late winter or early spring to shape and remove any dead or damaged branches.
  6. Flowers will appear in late spring or early summer.
  7. To encourage more flowers,Deadhead the spent blossoms as they fade.
  8. In autumn, the leaves of the wee white hydrangea will turn red or burgundy.
  9. The plants are generally pest and disease free.
  10. Wee white hydrangea are low-maintenance plants that will provide years of beauty in the landscape.

Related plant:
Berberis Orange Rocket

Soil Requirement

About soil condition, the best for a wee white hydrangea is a moist, well-drained soil. It does not tolerate drought well. It also does not like "wet feet," meaning that it does not do well if the roots are constantly saturated with water. The plant is also quite particular about its pH level. It likes a neutral to slightly acidic soil, with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0.

Light requirement

Just like other hydrangeas, the wee white hydrangea requires sun to thrive. The plant grows best in full sun to partial shade, meaning it needs at least six hours of sun per day. In shady areas, the plant may not produce as many flowers.

Ideal Temperature

The temperature condition that is ideal for the growth of the wee white hydrangea is one that is cool and moist. This plant prefers a shady location and will do well in areas that have a moderate amount of humidity. The soil that is most suitable for this plant is one that is rich in organic matter and is well drained.

Humidity Level

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 60-70%. If the humidity level drops below 60%, the leaves will begin to wilt and the flower heads will droop. If the humidity level goes above 70%, the leaves will begin to yellow and the plant will become susceptible to fungal diseases.

The Fertilizer

Regarding fertilizer, this family of plant is not very demanding. In general, they prefer a light hand with fertilizer, as too much can lead to floppy, leggy growth. A wee white hydrangea (H. arborescens 'Annabelle') in particular is known to be quite tolerant of poor soils. However, it is always best to amend the soil with some compost or other organic matter prior to planting. This will help to ensure that the plant has the nutrients it needs to get established. As for watering, again, the wee white hydrangea is not particularly demanding. Once established, it is quite drought tolerant. However, during its first year or so, it will appreciate regular watering, especially during periods of drought.

Plant Pruning

Pruning is an important part of keeping your wee white hydrangea healthy and looking its best. You should prune your plant in early spring, before new growth begins. To prune, simply remove any dead or damaged branches, as well as any branches that are growing in the wrong direction. Trimming back the branches will encourage new growth and help keep your plant looking neat and tidy.

About Propagating

Propagation is generally done by taking woody cuttings in late summer or early fall. The cuttings should be taken from new growth that has not flowered yet. Cuttings should be about 6 inches long and have at least 2-3 leaf nodes. Remove the leaves from the bottom half of the cutting and dip the end in rooting hormone. Plant the cutting in a pot filled with a mixture of sand, peat moss, and perlite. Water the cutting well and place it in a bright, but not direct, sunny spot. Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Roots should form within 4-6 weeks. Once roots have formed, the cutting can be transplanted into a larger pot or outdoors.

Growth Speed

Usually, the plant growth rate is slow, however under the right conditions they can grow quite rapidly. They prefer full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soils. If you plant them in an area that is too shady, they will likely not bloom as much as they would in full sun.

Basic Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are mainly pests and disease. Pests such as aphids, whiteflies, and scale can infest the plant and cause damage. Disease such as powdery mildew and botrytis can also affect the plant. These problems can be controlled with proper care and treatment.

Tips on Growing

  • If you're growing wee white hydrangea indoors, make sure to give it plenty of light. A sunny windowsill is ideal.
  • To encourage blooming, provide your plant with a high-phosphorus fertilizer.
  • Hydrangeas like their soil to be moist but not soggy. Water regularly, but allow the soil to dry out somewhat between watering.
  • Pinch off any dead or dying blooms to encourage new growth.
  • Wee white hydrangeas are relatively low-maintenance plants, but they will benefit from occasional pruning. Cut back any overgrown or leggy stems to encourage bushier growth.
  • These plants are susceptible to powdery mildew, so be sure to provide good air circulation around your plant.
  • If you're growing wee white hydrangea outdoors, it's important to choose a location that offers some protection from strong winds.

Alternative Plants

  • Waywiser
  • Weihenstephaner
  • Wayfinder
  • Wayfarer
  • White heather
  • White sage
  • White willow
  • White oak
  • White ash
  • White birch

Source:
Hydrangea: Identify and Manage Problems - UMD
Growing Hydrangeas - Center for Agriculture, Food, and the …
Take a Look at Hydrangeas - Penn State Extension

Richelle Author Photo
Reviewed & Published by Richelle
Submitted by our contributor
Shrubs Category