Hydrangea paniculata Fraise Melba

This new Hydrangea paniculata Fraise Melba is a wonderful improvement of the famous variety Vanille Fraise. Its inflorescences in conical and plump panicles are born ivory white, turn pink, then red with cooler summer nights. They are carried by much stronger stems, unaffected by the weight of rain-laden flowers. Its foliage is darker green and adorns itself with a sumptuous purple hue in autumn. Very hardy, tolerant of sun and slightly chalky soils, this bush is ideal in isolation or in flower beds.

Hydrangea paniculata Fraise Melba is a very recent cultivar, obtained in France, a distant descendant of the species Hydrangea paniculata, native to the eastern temperate regions of China and Japan. From this plant, it has kept its good hardiness (up to -20°C at least) and its adaptation to sun and relative drought, while being more tolerant of chalky soils than traditional Hortensia macrophylla. This bush with an upright and branched habit will reach 2m (6 to 7ft) in height by 1.50m (4 to 11ft) in width, with rapid growth. Its flowering begins in late July or early August. Creamy white at first, its slender panicles, 20-25cm (7.9 - 9.8in) in length, composed only of sterile florets, gradually turn pink, the colour duo remaining decorative for a long time, then turning completely to dark pink or red in early autumn. Its strong branches easily support the weight of the flowers. They are covered with beautiful deciduous foliage, dark green, ovate, with prominent veins, taking on magnificent autumnal hues. This exceptional variety requires no pruning.

This novelty, awarded in 2014 competitions, is planted in isolation and is often used to create a small privacy hedge. It can be associated in a pink garden with ground cover roses, pink Gauras, 'Lilac Beauty' yarrows, mixed with the grey leaves of ludoviciana or 'Powis Castle' Artemisias, and ornamental grasses. It can also be paired with the vine-plant quercifolia, which will thrive in almost the same conditions. It also grows very well in pots.