An Evening with Dr. Michael Dirr - Hydrangeas for American Gardens

Hydrangeas have long been admired and revered as an important flowering shrub in the American Landscape. Dating back to our childhood, masses of blooming hydrangeas could be found throughout our urban and suburban gardens.  While Hydrangeas have a long, rich history in the western world dating back to the late1700’s, today they are also literally one of the most cultivated plants on the planet.  During the latter part of the 20th century and into the 21st century,  hundreds of new introductions of Hydrangea macrophylla (Florist Hydrangea) have been introduced into commerce. Along with the H. macrophylla advances, breeders have taken aim at H. arborescens (Smooth Hydrangea), H. paniculata (Panicle Hydrangea), H. Quercifolia (Oak Leaf Hydrangea), and H. Serrata (Mountain Hydrangea). Many of these new introductions can be found at our local nursery and garden center. This lecture will celebrate the importance of this iconic genus in the American landscape.