Hydrangea macrophylla Magical Summer Green

The Hydrangea macrophylla 'Summer Green', like other varieties in the 'Magical' series, has magical flowers with changing tones. The flowers form round groups and change colour from green to red and green before fading to softer shades of red and green mixed with white. Its generous flowering lasts all summer. It is perfect for making fresh or dry bouquets. Its compact habit is well suited to cultivating in large containers or shaded massifs in non-limestone soil. 

Hydrangea macrophylla, from which 'Summer Green' is derived, belongs to the Hydrangeaceae family, native to China and Japan. 'Summer Green' is part of a series of varieties selected for their flowers, which change colour throughout the season. It is a hardy bush with a compact habit, wider than tall, 100 cm (39.4 in) high and 120 cm (47.2 in) wide. It can reach 1.25 m in height in 10 years, depending on the growing conditions. In June, the tiny flowers form dense bouquets of pom-poms of pale green to chartreuse mixed with white, with a little pink bud in their heart. Then, these charming flower heads will turn to a burning red mixed with emerald green, then fade, in early autumn, into a texture that resembles that of paper. They then take on hot pink, green and white tones. The flowering is accompanied by dark green, deciduous leaves. The leaves are opposite; they reach a minimum of ten centimetres in length. They are single, ovate to elliptical, ending in a pointed tip. 

Of excellent hardiness, hydrangeas are well known for brightening up the north side of houses. This one will thrive in flower beds as well as in hedges. This variety is particularly suitable for container cultivation, which can be positioned on a terrace or near the entrance of a property. Even though these plants are not fond of limestone, they are not, strictly speaking, ericaceous plants. Pair them with magellanica fuchsias, annual impatiens, or plant spring-flowering bulbs in front of their round silhouette. Enjoy its beautiful and long-lasting flowers in the garden or at home in bouquets.