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FRIDAY, JULY 11th – SUNDAY, JULY 20th
As part of the annual Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival, we celebrate the iconic plant that makes the Cape so stunning. Enjoy fabulous photo opportunities as you stroll through the gardens and be sure not to miss two featured gardens which together make up the most comprehensive collection of hydrangeas in North America. The Cape Cod Hydrangea Society Display Garden boasts a collection of over 155 exceptional cultivars, around 60% of which are legacy varieties no longer in cultivation anywhere else. The North American Hydrangea Test Garden showcases over 240 of the newest varieties of hydrangeas being vigorously tested and evaluated here. Featuring hydrangeas in combination with companion plants growing alongside them, this garden provides incredible garden design inspiration!
Special daily activities include:
- 10 am-5 pm – Self-Guided Walking Tour: Discover hydrangeas highlights while learning about each of the six major species of this signature plant
- 11:30 am-3 pm – Hydrangea Discovery Cart: Learn tips for identifying, selecting, and caring for all six types of commonly-grown hydrangeas
- Get your hydrangea questions answered by Cape Cod Hydrangea Society volunteers in the gardens
On Saturday, July 12 from 11-11:30 am, take a 30-Minute American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreted Hydrangea Guided Tour. Guides share the story of hydrangeas at Heritage and highlight spectacular specimens during this walking tour of both the Display Garden and the Test Garden (tours meet at the Cape Cod Hydrangea Society Display Garden).
All extra hydrangea-focused activities are free with museum admission or membership. No advance registration is required.
Hydrangea University is a separate fee.
Hydrangea Video Series
Mal’s Favorites: Vanilla Strawberry & Lime Rickey
Mal’s Favorites: Endless Summer – hydrangea macrophylla + Pruning Tips
Mal’s Favorites: Bluebird– hydrangea serrata
Mal’s Favorites: Snowflake – hydrangea quercifolia
Mal’s Favorites: Lady in Red, Penny Mac & Twist-n-Shout – Hydrangea Macrophylla
Mal’s Favorite: Summer Crush
Hydrangea macrophylla
A species found mainly in coastal regions of Japan. They do well in the Cape Cod maritime climate.
Colors range from white to pink, blue, or purple flowers, depending on the soil’s acidity. Blue flowers develop with acidic soil (a pH of 5.0 to 5.5) and pink flowers from alkaline soil pH (6.0 to 6.5). Aluminum sulfate can be added to acidify the soil, and lime to produce a more alkaline soil.
Hydrangea serrata
Commonly known as mountain hydrangea
A hardy species of Asian mountain origin, growing in the
forest understory. Cold hardy from zones 5 to 8, prefers shadier locations – at least a half-day of shade; prone to leaf spotting in high sun locations.
- Hybridizes well with h.macrophylla; often utilized in newer rebloomers
- Growth Pattern: Upright bush of rounded habit, 2 to 6 ft. height & width
- Mostly delicate lace cap flowers with only a few mophead choices; lace caps feature a set of smaller inner fertile blooms and larger colorful outer petals
- Blooms early in summer on old wood (buds form in the fall) with slightly subdued bloom color range – whites, pale greens, pinks, blues and some reds depending on soil pH and cultivar
Hydrangea quercifolia
Commonly known as oakleaf hydrangea
Oakleaf hydrangea’s year-long parade starts in spring when dark green leaves unfurl. Depending on the variety, the oak-like leaves can grow up to 12 inches wide. Flower buds form long, cone-shaped clusters that crown summer landscapes with color. The elegant clusters combine large, showy florets with small, budlike flowers.
Unlike mophead hydrangeas, soil pH doesn’t affect the color of oakleaf blooms.
Hydrangea paniculata
Originated in the Asian mountains in high elevations
Very cold hardy from zones 3 to 8 and prefers full sun; the most drought tolerant of the species.
- Growth Pattern: typically strong growers, 5 to 10 ft. plus height & width in bush form; great specimen plants as standards (tree form)
- Very long-lived; some plants are 100 years old
- Flowers on new wood (buds form in the spring)
- Bloom color unaffected by soil pH
Panicle blooms feature clusters of flowers on a branch and typically open white with maturing shades of lime green to pink to mauve, flowering
from mid-summer to mid-fall.
Sponsored by Cape Cod 5
