Hydrangea arborescens 'Balsam'

The texture of the leaves are evocative of the Appalachian forests (even when seen from a car window - they are along so many roadsides in the mountains) so that Hydrangea arborescens fits into the native forest gardens and suburban-urban gardens of the East Coast with that sense of place many of us are cultivating in our backyards. 'Balsam' is also knows as 'Highland Lace' because of the lacy mophead flowers (see pic for 1,000 words of explanation). These flowers are remontant - if you prune off the spent flowers, you will likely get a second flush. This is one of those hydrangeas that will give you fall color. It's the color of our favorite Kerry Gold butter from grass fed cows. We have two of these planted in our woodland garden (along with a few secret ones that may be introduced one day - sorry couldn't help the teaser).