Hydrangea aspera is a species of flowering plant in the family Hydrangeaceae native to dense forests in the region between the Himalayas, across southern China, to Taiwan.

[2] It is a large, erect deciduous shrub growing to 3 m (10 ft) tall and wide, with broadly oval leaves and dense branches.

Due to how highly cultivated Hydrangea aspera is, coupled with the extensive species range, the related taxonomy of subspecies and potential synonyms is uncertain.

[6] Hydrangea aspera has lace capped, flat-topped inflorescences with flowers that vary in color based on the pH level of the soil.

The shape, size, and lower leaf texture of this species varies slightly depending on the exact region where it is naturally found.