Hydrangeas (Hydrangea)

The genus *Hydrangea* has a somewhat complex geographic origin, but the likely geographical location or native region of most of the common hydrangeas we see in gardens is **East Asia**, specifically **Japan, Korea, and China.**

Here’s a breakdown:

* **East Asia (Japan, Korea, China):** This is the center of diversity for hydrangeas. Many of the most popular garden varieties, like *Hydrangea macrophylla* (bigleaf hydrangea) and *Hydrangea paniculata* (panicle hydrangea), are native to this region.

* **North America:** There are also native hydrangea species in North America, such as *Hydrangea arborescens* (smooth hydrangea) and *Hydrangea quercifolia* (oakleaf hydrangea), primarily in the eastern United States.

So, while there are North American species, the vast majority of hydrangeas grown worldwide, and the ones most people are familiar with, originate from East Asia.