Hydrangea arborescens HOVARIA HAYES STARBURST sevenbark, smooth hydrangea

HOVARIA HAYES STARBURST is a unique sevenbark (smooth hydrangea), found by Hayes Jackson in Alabama, USA, as a natural mutation of an old and popular Annabelle sevenbark. Hovaria brand is now bringing this specialty to Europe to enrich the assortment of early summer flowering hydrangeas.

HOVARIA HAYES STARBURST is a fully double flowering Annabelle hydrangea, sometimes also called Double Annabelle. Its inflorescence is not the typical mop-head shape, it is rather dome-shaped, composed of fully double, white to pale lime green, sterile, non-scented, starry flowers from June until July, sometimes until early September. Deciduous leaves are ovate, dark green, shallowly serrated at margins.

Grow this hydrangea if you are in doubt whether the large-leaved macrophylla varieties with coloured flowers will survive your winter. This one will grow happily in USDA zone 4 where winter temperatures drop down to -34°C, and can or rather should be cut severely in the spring. It may be pruned in early spring but pruning is not crucial for sturdy stems. Just don't prune in the first spring after transplanting.

It will grow in almost any soil type, preferably in moist soil that will not be too heavy or shallow. Fertilizing is not necessary but the plant will be stronger in humus-rich soil. Don't forget to water this beauty more frequently as it is dependent on regular water supply. Hardy to about -34°C (USDA zone 4).

Last update 12-06-2018