Hydrangea macrophylla Teller Messalina

The Hydrangea macrophylla 'Teller Messalina' is a delightful variety with flat flower heads of a fresh and tender pink, formed by a crown of double and sterile florets surrounding a centre filled with fertile flowers in the shape of little pink buttons. The growth of this variety is vigorous, and its habit is well-rounded. This bush offers a beautiful summer flowering paired with Hydrangea macrophylla 'Soeur Thérèse' in semi-shaded flower beds and non-limestone soil.

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Teller Messalina' is part of a recent series of 'lacecap' hybrids with flat flower heads, which bloom at the end of one-year-old branches. The branches are solidly spreading, and the flowering is abundant. These plants result from cross-breeding of the species H. macrophylla and H. aspera, among others. All these hardy plants belong to the hydrangea family, originating from China and Japan. 'Teller Messalina' shows a well-rounded habit in a regular dome. It reaches maturity about 1.20 m (3 ft 11 in)-1.40m (4 ft 7 in) in all directions. From late June to September, its small, fertile and sterile flowers, with striking dimorphism, form flat flower heads, sometimes reaching 20 cm (7.9 in) in diameter. They are composed of double sterile florets, candy pink in colour, surrounding a heart of more purple fertile florets in buds. The flowering is spread over a large, shiny, bright green, deciduous leaf. The leaves are opposite; they reach a minimum of twenty centimetres in length. They are single, ovate to elliptical, ending in a sharp point, roughly serrated. Hydrangeas can live at least 50 years.

The Hydrangea Messalina is a vigorous plant with a romantic style, whose tender pink colour makes a sensation in summer borders in the company of pastel-toned varieties ('Blaumeise', 'Mme Emile Mouillere', 'Sister Therese'...). Hydrangeas are well known for brightening up the north side of houses. This variety will be happy in an east or west exposure, not in direct sunlight, borders, or hedges. Even if these plants are not fond of limestone, they are not, strictly speaking, ericaceous plants. Combine them with fuchsias magellanica, with annual impatiens, or plant spring-flowering bulbs in front of their round silhouette. Enjoy their sumptuous and long-lassting flowering in the garden or the house for a long time.