Our curator of woody plants notes that NYBG has Cardiandra amamiohsimensis, a small shrub and member of the Hydrangea family, in one location here at the garden. It was planted in the Azalea Garden in 2012 in well-drained soil, and it is thriving in that location. We do not protect it over the winter and it blooms well every year.

It is worth trying to grow this gorgeous plant (with light green toothed leaves and open sprays of pink flowers highlighted with tiny bluish stamens) in a zone 7a garden. In a slightly protected location it should not need extra winter protection.

Courtesy of NYBG Plant Information Service