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Key characteristics

Family: Hydrangeaceae
Height: 3 to 4 feet
Width: 3 to 4 feet
Flower color: Soft pink to blue, with outer sterile florets and inner fertile ones
Foliage color: Dark green, with a slightly textured surface
Bloom time: Late summer to early fall
Light: Partial shade to full sun
Water: Moderate
Maintenance: Low; prune after flowering if needed
Growing zone: USDA zones 6 to 9
Wildlife: Attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators

Shrubs

Hydrangea involucrata

Bracted Hydrangea

Hydrangea involucrata is a deciduous shrub known for its delicate, lacecap flowers and unique texture. The blooms appear in late summer, featuring a central cluster of small, fertile flowers surrounded by larger, showy sterile florets, typically in shades of pale lavender, blue, or white. These flowers are held above the foliage on slender stems, creating an airy, elegant display.

The leaves are soft, ovate, and covered with fine hairs, giving them a velvety texture.

Light

Partial shade to full sun

Water

Moderate

Bloom time

Late summer to early fall

Find this plant

Works well in

Shade Gardens
Foundation Plantings
Cut Flower Gardens
Cottage Gardens

Companion plants

Leucothoe · Yew · Viola · Astilbe · Hellebores · Ferns

Design tip

The airy lacecap flowers give Bracted Hydrangea a lighter presence than densely flowered hydrangeas. Its slender flower stems and velvety foliage create contrasting textures, adding detail and softness without making a shaded planting feel visually heavy.