Bracted Hydrangea (Hydrangea involucrata) brings a touch of whimsy to late summer gardens with its soft, velvety buds that unfurl into delicate lace-cap blooms in shades of pale lavender, cream, and gentle blues. Each plant reaches about three to six feet high and wide, creating a rounded shape with lush foliage. Unlike more common mophead hydrangeas, this species stands out for its fuzzy bracts that add texture and intrigue. It’s well-suited for gardeners seeking a distinctive flowering shrub to liven up borders or accent a tucked-away corner.
Bracted Hydrangea hails from regions of Japan and Taiwan where it grows in woodland habitats under filtered light and in consistently moist soils. A bit of afternoon shade is appreciated, especially in warmer climates, helping the blooms retain their pastel charm. This species does not demand rigorous upkeep, making it an excellent choice for anyone craving low-maintenance beauty. It prefers soils that are slightly acidic and rich in organic matter. You can feature it in mixed borders, container gardens, or woodland edges where its downy buds and unusual blooms will turn heads.
Bracted Hydrangea Care
Plant this hydrangea in a spot offering dappled sunlight or partial shade—especially during hot afternoons. Its roots favor soil that is consistently moist yet well-drained, so mix in organic compost if your ground tends to be sandy or clay-heavy. Most slightly acidic soils (pH around 5.5 to 6.5) serve this plant well. Water regularly, especially in warm weather, to keep the root zone from drying out; a layer of mulch also helps maintain adequate moisture. A light, balanced fertilizer in early spring can stimulate healthy leaf and flower production.
Keep pruning minimal during the first growing season to let the shrub develop strong structure. Once established, remove spent blooms or dead wood in early spring to encourage a flush of new stems and buds. If you grow it in a container, refresh the top layer of soil each spring and inspect the root system occasionally to determine if an upgrade to a larger pot is necessary. Winter care is straightforward—just ensure some mulch remains around the base to insulate roots in cooler regions.
Bracted Hydrangea Spacing
When incorporating Bracted Hydrangea in a hedge, allow about three to four feet between shrubs for a more continuous display of foliage and flowers. If you prefer to use it as an individual feature, four to five feet of open space around each plant allows the softly textured stems to arch naturally. A pot at least 16 to 20 inches wide is adequate for container growing, giving roots room to expand with time.
- SKU:
- 1231020856-pc
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
4.5" Pot
Also Known As:
4.5" Container
Plant Age:
~ 6 months
Plant Size:
~ 3"-6"
Pot Size:
~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
Volume:
1.42 quarts
Quart Pot
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
2.5 Quart
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
#1 Pot
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
#2 Pot
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
#3 Pot
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
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Plant Addicts Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts always guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy & healthy. However, plant(s) are being shipped through the mail & sometimes accidents happen. If the plant is dead, has dried out roots or the incorrect item was shipped, just notify Plant Addicts within 3 days upon delivery. We may ask for pictures but will try to make it as easy as possible for you. Please note, plant(s) with damaged branches or wilted leaves will not qualify for this guarantee. Plants are very resilient and will rebound quickly when cared for correctly.
For more information on how to care for your new plants, please click on our guide below.
Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)
We encourage all plant lovers to purchase the Plant Addicts Warranty, whether you're a new gardener or an expert. There are many variables outside of anyone's control that can cause a plant to die. Hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, diseases & pests are all good examples of what can cause plants to die. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all of the unknowns and will replace your plant if something were to happen to it.
The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant(s). We will cover 100% of the price of the plant, but the warranty does not cover shipping costs. SImply let us know if your plant has died within 1 year of receiving it and we will get you a new one shipped out as soon as possible (depending on the time of the year and availability). We may ask for photos for documentation purposes, but we try to make the process as easy as possible.
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Plant Shipping
Below are some factors we consider when determining when to ship the plants depending on the timing of the order.
Winter to Early Spring
We ship only when it's warm enough to plant in your growing zone.
Sometimes plants aren't completely ready to sell and ship in early spring. We will wait until the plants are ready before shipping so you don't get a subpar product.
For Southern plants we will be able to ship much earlier than plants coming from our northern nursery.
Summer
If there is extreme heat we may delay shipping for a week or several weeks.
We review what areas the plants are traveling through as well as your location.
Fall into Winter
We’ll ship plants out all the way up to the end of the fall planting season!
Winter
Get your order in early to reserve your plants for Spring planting!
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an automated email with tracking information.
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Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations