Hydrangea macrophylla Love - Mophead Hydrangea

The Hydrangea or Hydrangea macrophylla You and Me 'Love' forms large heads filled with triple florets with rounded petals in a soft pink colour, creating a soft and romantic impression. This hydrangea is part of the You & Me range, which offers original inflorescences. They start off with shades of green or white, then gradually become a uniform pink. In autumn, they turn a crimson red. In strongly acidic soils, the pink colour becomes pastel blue. This variety is of medium size and can be grown in containers or in the ground, in partially shaded areas with moist, lime-free soil.

The Hydrangea is certainly the most common plant in the Hydrangeaceae family, which includes 17 genera. Some are well-known to gardeners, such as Deutzia and Philadelphus (Mock Orange). Among the dozens of Hydrangea species found worldwide, both shrubs and climbers (Hydrangea petiolaris, for example), the Hydrangea macrophylla is the most widely cultivated species, with a true cult following in its native Japan and inspiring breeders worldwide. 'Love' is a horticultural variety created in Japan in 2016 by Ryoji Irie as part of the You & Me range, which includes a dozen cultivars, each more attractive than the next. This hydrangea grows into a dense bush of medium size, usually reaching about 1.20m in all directions, but it can grow taller over time if not pruned, reaching 1.50m or more. This relative compactness makes it easy to grow in a container to enhance a terrace. The foliage is typical of the species, with wide oval leaves that come to a point and have roughly toothed edges. The colour of the foliage is medium to dark green, depending on the exposure, and it has a slight shine with visible veins. The flowering starts with green and pale pink tones. Large inflorescences measuring 12 to 15cm in diameter form in late June or early July, composed of dozens of sterile florets that create a hemispherical dome, slightly flattened, at the end of the branches. The florets are double or triple. These successive rows of florets decrease in size towards the centre, giving the inflorescence a unique pattern. As it matures, the inflorescence gradually becomes more intensely red, creating a beautiful contrast against the dark foliage. The flowering period lasts for about seven weeks, from July to September, depending on the climatic zones, and allows for the creation of stunning dried bouquets.

Hydrangeas with large heads are truly essential in summer, and 'Love' is certainly a charming and romantic variety with its intricate pink inflorescences. They bloom for several weeks, and the pleasure can be extended by making lovely dried bouquets for the indoors. Plant it in a slightly shaded border, at the edge of trees, alongside plants with similar needs. To extend the flowering season, consider adding Witch Hazels for late winter, Chinese Azaleas and Deciduous Magnolias for spring, and Camellia sasanqua for autumn.