Hydrangea arborescens ‘Eco Pink Puff’ (ex: Don Jacobs) – This is a remarkable pink flowering shrub. The foliage is much smaller than the other ovate leaf forms offered here. Interestingly, the tight, densely-packed tiny florets composed into corymbs take on an almost layered and refined Joe-pye weed appearance, almost like an artist's rendition of mounded clouds reflecting pink at sunset. Many who have seen it thought it was a Joe-pye weed… or were downright baffled! This plant has recently been the breeding subject in development of new pink panicle hydrangea cultivars. But we very much like this one much with its simple, clean and very handsome appearance – closer to species with its unusually formed flower heads. ‘Eco Pink Puff’ is fantastic in the mixed shrub border or used as a backdrop to shorter perennials. And it remains attractive for multiple seasons as 'Eco Pink Puff' hangs onto its corymbs in the winter landscape, now dried over tough stems in warm medium brown that withstand heavy snows. It will be conversation piece for many, many weeks with its extensive flowering period in summer. Plant Hydrangea arborescens ‘Eco Pink Puff’ in fertile soil sited in full to three-quarters sun for best performance.
This is the Smooth Hydrangea which is native to the southeastern U. S. They come in lace cap and mop head forms, one even flowering pink, this from Don Jacobs of Eco Gardens in Decatur, Georgia. Some cultivars and selections have more interesting foliage than others. These attributes will be described in detail. They are of very easy disposition with long bloom. They flower on new wood and can be pruned back annually. Site all Hydrangea arborescens in full to mostly sunny exposures in any good garden soil. All of the following are cutting grown.