Hydrangea macrophylla Zorro bleu

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Zorro' is a new vigorous hydrangea, with a summer flowering of blue-violet flat heads and black stems that bring a touch of originality to your acid soil borders.

This Hydrangea forms a large spreading bush, reaching a height of 1.8 m (5.9 m). Its large deciduous leaves, ovate and dark green, measure 20 cm (7.9 in) long on astonishing black stems. From August to October, numerous rounded inflorescences with flat heads (called "lacecap") appear. The umbels consist of pale blue fertile flowers in the centre and blue-violet sterile flowers on the periphery. The Hydrangea macrophylla family flowers on old wood.

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Zorro' requires slightly acidic soil, rich in aluminium sulphate, to maintain its blue-violet colour. Mix peat soil with your garden soil and add aluminium sulphate (slate contains it) as soon as the colour turns pink. It is a hardy bush, easy to grow and requires little maintenance. Be careful of spring frosts that can damage the flower buds.

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Zorro' can be planted in shade or partial shade, sheltered from cold winds. Combine it with other hydrangeas, ferns, dead-nettles or conifers for a beautiful contrast.

Advice: Do not prune too early! Leave the dried inflorescences on the plant and cut them only after spring frosts. They effectively protect the new growth and future flowers.