Wedding Gown Hydrangea

The Wedding Gown Hydrangea is a remarkable and unique variety originating in Japan. It forms a low but wide bush, just 2 or 3 feet tall but up to 5 feet across. The dark green leaves are more pointed and narrower than is normal, and this bush blooms earlier than most hydrangeas. The large ‘Lacecap’ flower heads are over 6 inches across, with a central mass of hundreds of tiny double blooms in greenish-white, surrounded by a circle of larger flowers that are glistening snow white. This variety repeat blooms on new branches by late summer and into the fall. Grow it in the foreground of your shrub beds, along a pathway or by a pond, in planters, and in Asian-style gardens. It is also known as ‘Dancing Snow’, which sums up its beauty perfectly.

• Special Lacecap variety with double blooms
• Large nodding pure white outer blossoms
• Smaller greenish-white inner blossoms
• Very early blooming, and then repeats in summer and fall
• Unique low and broad form to the bush

The Wedding Gown Hydrangea grows best with morning sun and afternoon shade, but it will also grow in light full shade. The soil can be either acid or alkaline, and it should be rich, moist and well-drained. This variety is resistant to powdery mildew, and it is normally not bothered by other pests or diseases. Dead-head the first crop of flowers to encourage the second crop, and prune lightly in spring to remove any dead wood.