Two species native to our forests, oakleaf (Hydrangea quercifolia) and lacecap (Hydrangea arborescens), begin to bloom just as the emerging, light hues of spring leaves complete transition to darker verdant greens of summer's mature canopy. Seemingly luminescent in the dark forest, white clusters and lacecaps line the trails here on the mountain. There’s a bit of trickery in the blooms. The showy flower parts with big white petals are actually sterile and serve as the “open for business” sign, while the smaller hairy florets beneath the invitation petals are the fertile flowers. We love the come hither blooms of hydrangeas!
