Hydrangea macrophylla Selma

The Hydrangea macrophylla Selma is a stunning novelty plant from the Dutch Ladies Hydrangea series. It produces bicolour inflorescences with red lining that are short and floribundus. The plant is also gifted with beautiful autumn colours. The round inflorescences have an elegant appearance and are made of florets with slightly pointed petals. They assume a dark pink to red colour, enhanced by a cream to pale yellow centre; this contrast gives them an appealing look from late spring until late autumn. As the plant grows, it forms a very tight bush, making it ideal for the garden or large pots. Additionally, it provides magnificent cut flowers that can be used to decorate your home.

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Selma' 'Sidaselm' is a hybrid of H. macrophylla and H. serrata, among other species. These hardy plants belong to the Hydrangeaceae family and are native to China and Japan. 'Selma' is part of a series of Dutch cultivars selected for their compact, dense habit and abundant flowering. This slow-growing bush has a tight, dense, rounded habit with harmoniously formed foliage. It reaches a size of approximately 1.20m (3 ft 11 in) in all directions when fully grown in open ground. The flowers bloom from June-July to September-October as spherical, compact flower heads, which are beautiful in size (14-15 cm (5.5-5.9 in)). They are composed of many single sterile florets whose petals have pointed edges. The flowers are initially a bright pink-red shade with a yellow-cream centre, which tends to fade at maturity. In slightly alkaline to neutral soil, they appear rather pink, while in acidic soil, they turn purple. At the end of the season, the flower heads turn a sand-brown colour that complements the autumn leaves. The flowering is spread over a dark green, glossy, deciduous leaf. The leaves are very wide and are ovate and opposite, reaching at least a dozen centimetres in length. They have a pointed tip and are coarsely saw-toothed. In autumn, the leaves of this variety turn yellow to purple. Hydrangeas can live for at least 50 years.

The ornamental hydrangea 'Selma' adds beauty to any garden, terrace, or indoor space, especially when paired with a pure white variety. Hydrangeas are a perfect choice for decorating terraces and balconies and for use as a cut flower. Hydrangeas are well known for their brightening effect on the north side of houses, but this particular hydrangea can also thrive in an east or west exposure that is not too harsh. It can be used in massifs as well as in high borders. Although these plants are not strictly ericaceous, they do not tolerate limestone well. Pair them with fuchsia magellanica, annual impatiens, or plant spring-flowering bulbs in front of their round silhouette. Enjoy their sumptuous flowering in the garden or the house for a long time.