Hydrangea macrophylla LightoDay

Hydrangea macrophylla Light'o'Day®, also known as Hydrangea macrophylla 'Bailday', is an unusual hydrangea with modest growth, appreciated for its beautiful variegated white foliage as well as its charming flowering. In summer, it produces white lace-cap flowers with blue or pink inner flowers, depending on the soil pH. Highlight this hardy variety in a large pot on a terrace or balcony. It is simply perfect in a semi-shaded bed or against an east-facing wall. 

Light'o'Day is a recent creation, but already a star. It is a hardy plant from the Hydrangeaceae family, whose ancestors come from China and Japan. Light'o'Day forms a rounded bush reaching an average of 1.2 m (3.9 ft) in all directions. Its branches bear large, entire, lanceolate leaves with dentate edges, consistently edged in white but more or less splashed with white or grey-green on a dark green background. Flowering takes place from July-August to October. The flat-headed inflorescences (called "lace-caps") appear on wood that is at least one year old. They are composed of fertile flowers in the centre, resembling small buds, and a few larger and more showy white flowers on the periphery. In neutral soil, the centre flowers will have a pinkish-purple hue, quite common among hydrangeas. In acidic soil or soil enriched with aluminium sulphate, they will be purplish-blue. Hydrangeas can live for at least 50 years.

Light'o'Day is a unique and refined plant, beautiful in both blue and pink. Its foliage, which rivals the beauty of hostas, adds a glamorous touch to the less sunny areas of the garden. 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 beds as well as hedges. This variety is also suitable for container gardening. Although they dislike limestone, hydrangeas are not strictly ericaceous plants, as acidic soil it is not nourishing enough for them. Pair them with ferns, Japanese anemones, foxgloves, annual impatiens, lilies, or plant spring-flowering bulbs in front of their round silhouette. Enjoy their magnificent flowering in the garden or indoors for a long time.

Tips: Do not prune too early! Leave the dried inflorescences on the plant and only cut them after spring frost. They effectively protect new growth and future flowers.