Hydrangea macrophylla Julisa

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Julisa', with very vibrant colours, is a beautiful improvement of the variety 'Merveille sanguinea' which until now was the best known for dark foliage. This new hydrangea shows faster and more regular growth than its older sibling and displays vegetation that highlights red tones. Its young, purple foliage turns intensely green in summer before taking on autumn leaf colours. Its robust and erect branches bear large inflorescences in bright carmine red, throughout the summer. It is a beautifully coloured bush, with a harmonious habit, equally at ease in a flowerbed or in a large pot on the terrace.

The 'Hydrangea macrophylla 'Julisa', recently obtained in France, is one of the many hybrids obtained through the cross-breeding of well-hardy species belonging to the hydrangea family, native to China and Japan. This ramified and compact bush has a rather rounded and regular habit. It will reach an average size of 1m (3 to 4ft) in all directions. In summer, its small fertile and sterile flowers form round inflorescences of beautiful size, carmine in colour, turning purple in autumn. They are carried by strong, erect stems. The flowering is accompanied by particularly dark green foliage in summer, tinged with purple shades. The leaves are marked with deep veins. They turn magnificent flamboyant shades of red in autumn before falling. The leaves are opposite, reaching a minimum length of 10cm (3.9in) They are simple, ovate to elliptical, ending in a tapering point, strongly toothed like a saw. Hydrangeas can live for at least 50 years.

The 'Julisa' Hydrangea has excellent hardiness and a unique personality. Its intense colours tolerate brighter exposures with morning sun. Its association with white hydrangeas is particularly flattering, as the colours enhance each other. Hydrangeas are well known for brightening up the north side of houses. This one will thrive in a non-scorching east or west exposure, in flowerbeds as well as hedges. This variety is suitable for cultivation in open ground or in containers, which can be placed on the terrace or near the entrance. Although these plants dislike lime, they are not strictly ericaceous plants. Pair them with Magellan fuchsias, annual impatiens, or plant spring-flowering bulbs in front of their round silhouette. Enjoy their sumptuous flowering for a long time in the garden or in the house.

Note: The colour of hydrangea macrophylla flowers varies depending on the soil pH. Traditionally blue varieties turn pink in neutral or alkaline soil. To maintain a beautiful blue colour, mix ericaceous soil into your garden soil and apply aluminum sulfate (slate contains it) or alum stone every spring.