Northwest Blooms · Shrubs
Hydrangea serrata ‘Beni Gaku’
Beni Gaku Mountain Hydrangea
- Family
- Hydrangeaceae
- Height
- 3 to 5 feet
- Width
- 3 to 5 feet
- Flower color
- White flowers with pink to red centers
- Foliage color
- Green, with reddish tints in fall
- Bloom time
- Early to mid-summer
- Light
- Partial shade to full sun
- Water
- Moderate
- Maintenance
- Low; prune after flowering if needed, generally minimal maintenance
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 6 to 9
- Wildlife
- Attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators
About this plant
Hydrangea serrata 'Beni Gaku' is a deciduous shrub admired for its delicate lacecap flowers and beautiful color transitions. The blooms feature a central cluster of tiny, fertile flowers surrounded by larger, sterile florets that open white and gradually turn pink, then deepen to a rich red as the season progresses. This creates a striking multicolored effect within each bloom. The dark green leaves serve as an elegant backdrop to the flowers, and in the fall, the foliage turns a vibrant reddish-purple, adding seasonal interest.
'Beni Gaku' is especially valued for its graceful form, making it a stunning choice for woodland gardens, borders, or as an accent plant. Its refined appearance and changing seasonal colors bring lasting visual interest to both informal and structured garden settings.
Works well in
Sun Gardens · Containers · Cottage Gardens · Cutting Gardens
Companion plants
Tickseed · Russian sage · Potentilla · Fountain grass · Basket-of-gold · Lily of the Nile
Design tip
Take advantage of ‘Beni Gaku’s’ changing colors by placing it where its flowers and foliage can provide evolving seasonal interest. The lacecap blooms progress from white to pink and rich red, while the dark green foliage develops reddish-purple tones in fall.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen at Bellevue Botanical Garden.
