Hydrangea macrophylla Miss Saori

The Hydrangea macrophylla Miss Saori is truly unique, it is a recent and refreshing creation, already awarded. Its large pompoms are made up of small, fully double flowers, white, finely edged and frosted with bright pink. Its fluffy flowering lasts all summer, well matched with changing foliage, purple in spring and autumn, making this small bush an interesting plant for much of the year. It is perfect for making fresh or dried bouquets. Its compact habit is suitable for growing in large pots or shaded borders, in non-limestone soil.

The Hydrangea macrophylla Miss Saori is one of the many hybrids obtained by cross-breeding the species H. macrophylla and H. serrata, among others. All these hardy plants belong to the Hydrangeaceae family, native to Japan. 'Miss Saori' is an interesting bush for several reasons. This shrub has a compact habit, as wide as it is tall, reaching 1m (3 in 4 ft) in all directions. It even flowers on one-year-old branches. From June to September, its small fertile and sterile flowers, with striking dimorphism, form fluffy pompoms. These charming pompoms are made up of double, two-tone and shiny sterile flowers, with pure white petals edged with bright and deep pink. The other particularity of this hydrangea is its deciduous foliage, which emerges as a burgundy colour in spring, before turning dark green in summer, and then adorns itself with purple in autumn. The leaves are opposite, reaching a minimum length of around ten centimetres. They are simple, ovate to elliptical, ending in a tapered point, and serrated.

The Miss Saori hydrangea has excellent hardiness. Hydrangeas are well known for brightening the north side of houses. This one will thrive in a protected east or west exposure, in borders as well as hedges. This variety is particularly suitable for container cultivation, which can be placed on the terrace or near the entrance to fully enjoy all its charms. Although these plants dislike limestone, hydrangeas are not strictly ericaceous plants. Pair them with Magellan fuchsias, annual impatiens, or plant spring-flowering bulbs in front of their round silhouette.