Rainy Season in Japan: Oakleaf Hydrangeas

The rainy season in Japan can be trying. Sodden clothing and shoes, laundry that won't dry, and no breaks to put the futons out on the veranda test your endurance. The fan in my bathroom gets a lot of use, as does the dehumidifier machine.

I still go on bike rides and shopping trips to inhale the fresh air. And take in the bounty of hydrangeas, which are called アジサイ ajisai, in Japanese. The most common hydrangeas display hues from light blue to magenta. Zekkei Japan posted an average of the blooming season based on averages, in the tradition of cherry blossom forecasts, in 2023. 

My potted oakleaf hydrangea, propagated from another plant

Another hydrangea you should look out for. カシワバアジサイ, kashiwaba ajisai, the oak leaf hydrangea. It's an import from North America that you can see in gardens and parks in the Kanto region. The cone-shaped, pendulous blooms are white or cream. In autumn, the leaves, which resemble oaks, turn red and orange. 

Do you want one? Like any hydrangea, they're easy to cultivate. You can stake stems into the earth, and new plants will form. Alternatively, take cuttings and put them in soil with rooting powder. 

Do you see varieties of hydrangea in your region? When is their blooming season?