Golden Crown Hydrangea. This incredible new selection has bright golden yellow new growth which slowly fades to green. In appearance the foliage resembles a large coleus. The flowers are a light lavender to blue lacecap. One would plant this cultivar for its foliage if it never flowered. Really something new and unique. Grow in morning sun and afternoon shade or filtered sun. Ultimate size is probably 3' high by 4' wide. The "serrata" species of Hydrangeas seem to be more cold hardy for us than H. macrophylla. I don't know whether it is inherently more cold hardy or that it leafs out for us about 10-14 days later than the "macrophyllas." They are more delicate in appearance with their smaller leaves and more compact form. Where space is at a premium, this species would be the best choice. If pruning is needed, prune immediately after flowering, this way one will not impede flower bud set for the following spring. Here in zone 8 they flower from May through June. I haven't seen any remontant flowering "serratas" as yet.
Zones 5-9
