Wild Hydrangea

Wild Hydrangea

There are about 80 species of deciduous and evergreen shrubs, small trees, and root climbers in this genus, which occurs in woodlands in E Asia and N and S America. Many hydrangeas are grown for their showy floral clusters. Hydrangea arborescens is not especially ornamental but it has some fine subspecies and cultivars. The uses of H. arborescens were known to native N Americans, notably the Cherokees, who used it to treat urinary stones. It was adopted by settlers and much used by Physiomedical herbalists during the 19th century. Hydrangea comes from the Greek hydor, "water" and angos "jar", referring to the cup-shaped fruits.

Open, deciduous shrub with long-stalked, broadly ovate leaves to 18cm (7in) long. Off-white, fertile flowers and creamy-white sterile flowers are borne in corymbs 5-15cm (2-6in) across, in summer.

Common Name:	Wild Hydrangea
Other Names:	Seven barks
Botanical Name:	Hydrangea arborescens
Genus:	Hydrangea
Family:	Hydrangeaceae
Native Location:	E USA
Cultivation:	Moist, well-drained, rich soil in sun or partial shade, avoiding early morning sun in frosty areas. Cut back previous year's flowering shoots in early spring. Remove dead flower heads.
Propagation:	By seed sown in spring; by softwood cuttings in summer; by hardwood cuttings in winter.
Harvest:	Roots are lifted in autumn and dried for decoctions, liquid extracts, and tinctures.
Height:	1-3m (3-10ft)
Width:	1.2-2.5m (4-8ft)
Variations:	Annabelle Has spherical flower heads, 20cm (8in) across, and withstands wind and rain better than the other sterile forms. Subsp. Discolor "Sterilis" syn "Sterilis" Has leaves with gray-green, hairy undersides, and flower heads with large sterile flowers. Grandiflora Produces flowerheads smaller than "Annabelle", but the individual sterile flowers are larger.
Hardiness:	Z4-10
Parts Used:	Roots
Properties:	A sweet, pungent herb that is antiseptic and diuretic, soothes irritated tissues, and reduces formation of urinary stones.
Medicinal Uses:	Internally for kidney and bladder stones, cystitis, urethritis, prostatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout and edema. Works well with Aphanes arvensis (See parsley piert), Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (See, bearberry), and Eupatorium purpureum (See, boneset). Excess may cause dizziness and bronchial congestion.
Bibliography:	Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited. pp 238-239