Dichroa febrifuga [UBC]

Also Known As

Dichroa febrifuga 'UBC Form'
UBC Evergreen Hydrangea

Plant type

shrub, perennial

size

H: 30"-36"
W: 30"-48"

planting zones

7a-10b

More Options

Dichroa febrifuga [UBC] plant details

Belongs on the must-have list. Incredible intensely pigmented blue berries from fall to spring for the woodland garden! This really wonderful selection of Dichroa febrifuga comes from the University of British Columbia Botanical Garden. Flower clusters are either more pink or more blue depending on soil PH, but the berries that follow are most jaw-dropping feature. As a woodland plant, it will thrive with part shade, rich soil, with regular water.

Dichroa febrifuga [UBC] is a broadleaf semi-evergreen perennial shrub with green foliage. In spring and summer blue and pink flowers emerge followed by blue and purple fruit. Attracts bees and butterflies making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with bright shade - shade and even moisture - regular water. Does well in average, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something humidity tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Dichroa febrifuga [UBC]

Plant type: perennial shrub
Plant family: hydrangeaceae
Foliage: semi-evergreen green
Mature size: 30 IN - 48 IN - wide, 30 IN - 36 IN - tall
Flowers: blue and pink blooms in spring and summer
Uses: container plant, winter interest, woodland garden, year round interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Dichroa febrifuga [UBC]

USDA Zones: 7a - 10b
Sun exposure: bright shade - shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
Resistant to: humidity
Soil needs: average, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

This uncommon shrub has long, dark, semi-evergreen leaves that resemble the foliage of hydrangea with prominent veins and small serrations. At the terminal end of the branches clusters of white buds open to bright blue or pink hydrangea-like flowers in spring and summer. These are followed by purplish berries that last for months all winter long. Dichroa febrifuga 'UBC Form' can die back in unusually cold winters but will usually resprout from the base, especially if it was mulched with fallen leaves.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

Lovely Hydrangea relative, deciduous shrub 2-3’ high and wide with light pink to blue flower clusters (depending on soil pH) in summer turning to shocking, sapphire blue berries lasting well into winter! AM sun, bright shade; good garden soil with consistent moisture. Outstanding!!

By: Secret Garden Growers

This deciduous shrub displays light pink or blue flower clusters which morph into deep blue berries that persist from fall till spring. Semi-evergreen foliage. A Hydrangea relative from China. Plant in humus rich, moist, well-drained soil. Good in shady borders, containers and woodland gardens.

By: Little Prince of Oregon

Best form of the species with good green leaves and clustered ok to unremarkable pale pink flowers which transmorgrifies into totally remarkably awesome bunches of impossible blue fruit which seems crazy out of place in the woodland but now you can't imagine shade without.

By: Far Reaches Farm

Possibly the most exquisite form yet of this delightful genus, shared with us by the University of British Columbia Botanical Garden, one of the best public gardens in North America. This southern Chinese collection grows only to about 3' with 3-4" leaves lightly encased by silver hairs. The generous clusters of fertile blue flowers produce pea sized clusters of cobalt colored fruit in fall through spring, held exquisitely above the foliage. Another plant for the shade or at least protection from hot afternoon sun with even moisture. It has withstood about ("aboot") 0 ºF at UBC in their protected woodlands.