Hydrangea aspera Macrophylla

Hydrangea aspera 'Macrophylla' is a hardy large bush bearing large pale mauve umbels accompanied by lush hairy foliage, bringing an exotic touch to shady beds.

Apart from its name, Hydrangea aspera 'Macrophylla' has nothing in common with the well-known classic Hydrangea macrophylla favoured by amateur gardeners.

Originally from China, this variety forms a large bush, as tall as 2m (7ft 6in) wide. Its leaves, measuring approximately 12-15cm (4.7 - 5.9in) long and 6-8cm (2.4 - 3.1in) wide, are a beautiful dark green, ovate, coarsely bumpy, and covered with a fine layer of silky hairs.

In summer, the bush bears numerous inflorescences in bomb-shaped umbels, about 20 cm (7.9in) in diameter, also known as lacecaps. The inflorescences consist of a central cluster of intense mauve fertile flowers and around the edges, they carry large sterile flowers, also called pseudoflowers, in a pale mauve pink colour.

Hydrangea aspera 'Macrophylla' is a bush that thrives in cool environments. Plant it in partial shade in a location protected from cold and dry winds, in humus-rich, acidic, and moist soil. This bush, with its late flowering, is not afraid of spring frosts.

Place it at the edge of woodlands, at the back of a bed, under tall trees, or near a shaded wall of the house, in a cool atmosphere mixed with hostas, knotweeds, Gunneras, and Thalictrums.