This hydrangea is most unusual. Also, I do not know which it is. When I bought it it was labeled Hydrangea subsp. sargentiana. Since then, Elizabeth Dean of Wilkerson Mill Gardens (where it originated) was told it was not a true sargentian, the hairs went the wrong way! Whatever. It is one of the last to bloom and I love it.
This is a large plant, 6′ tall
with large fuzzy leaves, 
buds that remind me of cauliflower 
and lacecap inflorescences.
In her Atlanta garden, Penny McHenry grew several fuzzy leafed hydrangeas and although they all had different names, we could never see many differences.
Mike Dirr says “The Hydrangea aspera group is a mess, and I don’t know anyone who could reliably identify the middle ground variants between H. aspera and subsp. sargentiana”
Just a few more and I promise no more hydrangeas till the paniculata group starts its show.
Above, Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Fuji Waterfall’. Below, Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Beaute Vendomoise’ slightly drooping… it is hot!
Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Fasan’ above, aka ‘Pheasant Twilight’ one of the Teller series.
Hydrangea serrata ‘O amacha’ nishiki above, opens white and slowly turns to red.
Hydrangea serrata ‘Kyosumi’ above, and finally, below, H. serrata Kurenai.
This hydrangea too opened white and turns to red. See it here.
Recreating Eden Landscape Blog 
One of the trips, Ireland, do you remember the H. aspera growing from a crack at the base of a stone barn?
Gravel up to the barn and the hydrangea to the roof and filling the wall. No other plants.
I knew then it was the best view I would ever see of H. aspera.
Hmm, hairs going the wrong way.
Garden & Be Well, XO Tara
I have the sargentiana hydrangea (I also got mine from Wilkerson Mill) and it has always performed very nicely under a pecan tree. I’ve heard that it is sometimes called the “space cadet”!
I knew you would have it! I never heard it called space cadet before but I can see it.
I love hydrangeas. I am bookmarking this page for when I get more money to spend on plants. There will be a hydrangea sale at a local garden this fall. Nice post.
Mama would love this! I plan to add an aspera or three in my garden. I loved them so at Hydrangea Heaven, btw they are still their, although downsized and in a smaller number. Even though the garden has suffered with the loss of my mom’s tlc those hydrangeas and many of the other plants have endured and will be back to their full glory one day soon.