Hydrangea Macrophylla Chocolate

The Hydrangea macrophylla 'Chocolate' (Ever Belles) Hokomachoco is a very hardy plant with a surprising and long-lasting flowering season. This variety is known for being the most sun-resistant among the Ever Belles range. The plant produces dense, regular flower heads in ball shapes, with many small, thick-textured flowers clustered together. The flowers have a rare and rich colour palette with red, purple, and chocolate tones. The bush is compact, with strong stems and a beautiful rounded habit. This hydrangea thrives in non-limestone soil and morning sun, which brings out its full splendour.

The hydrangeas belong to the Hydrangeaceae family. Their ancestors are native to China, Japan and North America. The Hydrangea macrophylla Chocolate Ever Belles shows a rounded, regular habit supported by thick, stiff, solid branches. It reaches ripeness about 1 m (3 ft 4 in) in all directions. Ultimately, it can measure up to 1.40 m (4 ft 7 in). This hydrangea has a regular and long-lasting flowering, from July to September, on strong stems aged one to two years. It bears slightly flattened, very dense ball-shaped flower heads measuring up to 20 cm (7.9 in) in diameter. They are composed of sterile florets in the shape of cups, very red, taking on beautiful purple and brown tones before fading. The flowering spreads over very healthy-looking foliage of medium green, somewhat matte. The leaves are opposite; they reach a minimum of fifteen centimetres in length. They are single, ovate to elliptical, ending in a tapered point, roughly saw-toothed. From October, the foliage turns yellow before falling. Hydrangeas can live at least 50 years.  

The Hydrangea 'Chocolate' (Ever Belles) is an exceptional plant to be enjoyed not far from the house or in a large pot on a shaded terrace during the hottest hours. It is perfect for a border or a curve in a path, in gardens of all sizes. Hydrangeas are well known for brightening up the north side of houses. This variety tolerates the sun well and can be exposed to the east. This variety will bring splendour and lushness to slightly dark areas or close to a somewhat hidden entrance. Even though hydrangeas are not fond of limestone, they are not strictly speaking ericaceous plants and thrive in any good, non or slightly limestone garden soil, improved with potting soil. Pair them with magellanica fuchsia, lilies, or plant spring flowering bulbs in front of their round silhouette. Enjoy their sumptuous and long-lasting flowers in the garden or the house.

It's important to note that the colour of the flowers on macrophylla hydrangeas can vary depending on the PH level of the soil. Usually, blue varieties will turn pink in neutral or alkaline soil. To keep the beautiful blue colour, you can mix ericaceous soil with your garden soil and add aluminium sulphate (found in slate) or alum stone every spring.