Hydrangea macrophylla Rotkehlchen

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Rotkehlchen' is a variety of flat-headed hydrangea. Its inflorescences take on a bright red colour in neutral soil and violet in acidic soil. Throughout the summer, these beautiful flowers stand out clearly against its dark green foliage. Its modest development allows for cultivation in a container, as well as in the ground in the garden. This beautiful, easy-going bush will grow in non-limestone soil and in a semi-shaded, or even shaded, area, on the edge of trees or in the heart of a flower bed. 

Hydrangea macrophylla is a deciduous bush, native to Japan, where its beauty has been appreciated for centuries and mentioned in poems dating back to the 8th century! Festivals are even dedicated to this bush. Hydrangeas belong to the Hydrangeaceae family, which they have named, and which includes other widely spread ornamental genera. Among Hydrangea macrophylla, we distinguish between round-headed varieties and flat-headed ones (Teller in German, or lace-cap in English).

'Rotkehlchen' is a variety that produces quite large beautiful bright to dark red inflorescences, (up to 20cm (8in)), clearly visible against the dark green mass of foliage. Rotkehlchen means robin in German, which gives a good idea of the colour of the flowers. However, in acidic soil and in the presence of aluminium sulphate, the flowers will take on a purple violet colour. These inflorescences are made up of small fertile flowers, tightly packed in the centre, with a periphery of larger single florets. In summer, it flowers for several weeks, between July and September. Its ovate leaves with a dentate edge and pointed tip are a beautiful dark green. Like all Hydrangea macrophylla, this bush is not strictly an ericaceous soil plant; it prefers neutral to acidic, humus-rich soils. It is quite hardy (-20°C (-4°F) or more). Severe frosts can damage the ends of the branches, but they easily recover after spring pruning. Easy to grow, it can live a very long time. 

'Rotkehlchen' is a superb small bush with summer flowering that will have a great effect in a container and in the garden, in undergrowth, or in a shaded bed, alongside other flowering bushes that like non-limestone soils. Choose plants with staggered flowering throughout the year to frame this hydrangea. You can also stay on a romantic tone by pairing it with Magnolia stellata and its spring flowering in large immaculate white stars. One or two tufts of Brunnera macrophylla 'Hadspen Cream' at its base, and the Caucasian Forget-me-not with delicate blue flowers and leaves marginated with cream white, will allow for stages of vegetation to be formed.