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Small hydrangea?

sarinkasarinka Posts: 270
in Plants
Does anyone have any recommendations for hydrangeas for lightly sunny / shady areas that stay nice and small (.5m maximum height and width)?

I am fond of the flowers but don't have room or desire for a monster bush that is the same size as my pocket handkerchief front garden.:)

Thank you.
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Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    In short - no, there isn't  :)
    Half a metre is nothing in shrub terms, especially with hydrangeas. You can prune the paniculatas right back each year as they flower on new wood, but it's expecting far too much to expect them to stay that small. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • MarlorenaMarlorena Posts: 8,705
    If you look at the  'Bobo' hydrangea, you should be able to keep that less than 1 metre.. it's probably the smallest you'll find... 
    East Anglia, England
  • MontysGalMontysGal Posts: 70
    When we moved in to our house, there were 2 hydrangeas in large pots in the back garden. Four and a half years on they are still going...they’ve remained quite compact due to being in pots, but give a good show every year. I fed and water them well. 
  • Papi JoPapi Jo Posts: 4,254
    I recommend Hydrangea serrata ‘Kurenai’
    I've had one specimen in my garden for 6 years and it's growing very slowly. More pics here: https://www.rezeau.org/wp-garden/en/hydrangea-serrata-kurenai-2/

  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    A paniculata Little Lime is worth looking into too...but it would probably reach a metre in height and width...but with a paniculata you have more control as they flower on new wood. 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Half a metre - maximum. 
    That's what the OP wants. That's a very tall order, even with the ones that can be cut right back.  :/
    Without photos, it's also very difficult to say whether there is room or not,as we aren't seeing the whole plot, or what else is there. Or whether it's going to have to be in a pot, which brings it's own difficulties re care. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • MarlorenaMarlorena Posts: 8,705
    edited August 2020
    Yes but it's just to point out to the member that there are some dwarf forms of hydrangea available these days, that may be worth considering, rather than writing off the whole concept altogether..
    ..in fact, Paniculatas can be kept very short, even those capable of larger dimensions...
    I've had one for 8 years, but pruned back to 1 foot each year, it's now just 2 feet 6 high by 3 feet wide...   they only extend their growth by 2 feet each Spring, and stop growing by the end of June.. so a hard prune back each spring maintains a dwarf habit, if required..
    ..this would hardly take up space in the smallest plot..





    East Anglia, England
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    I agree with @Fairygirl, none of the plants mentioned, meet the OP's requirements.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • edhelkaedhelka Posts: 2,351
    If you want a mophead or lace cap, I think the smallest ones are around 0.8-1m. I was looking for the same thing and dislike paniculatas but I haven't found anything smaller.


  • MarlorenaMarlorena Posts: 8,705
    ^exactly..  I'm not sure people keep up to date with what is available out there these days..
    East Anglia, England
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