Hydrangea macrophylla Blauer Prinz

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Blauer Prinz' allows for the creation of large beds or superb hedges in partial shade or shade. It is a medium-sized ball-shaped hydrangea, which blooms abundantly quite late in the season, and remains decorative until November. This round shrub is adorned with inflorescences in small but numerous balls nestled in the foliage, whose colour is determined by the soil: light blue in acidic soil or soft pink in neutral soil. They fade beautifully, turning green and then deep red at the end of the season. This variety is particularly suitable for making bouquets.

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Blauer Prinz' is one of the many hybrids obtained from H. macrophylla and H. aspera, among others. The Hydrangeaceae family is native to China and Japan. This variety is characterised by vigorous growth, excellent floribundity, and late flowering. It usually blooms from the end of July. This shrub is barely taller than it is wide, reaching 1.5m (5ft) in height and width at maturity, with relatively fast growth. Its dense and round inflorescences measure from 8 to 12cm (3 to 5in) in diameter. The sterile florets successively change from green-yellow to pale-yellow before turning mauve-blue or pastel pink depending on the soil pH. At maturity, the flower balls are gradually invaded by different shades of green, red, purple, or violet. The tiny fertile florets, on the other hand, are barely visible, submerged in the globular head. The flowering is accompanied by dense, medium green, leathery, deciduous foliage in winter. It often takes on a beautiful purple hue in autumn, depending on the soil and the year. Hydrangeas can live for at least 50 years.

'Blauer Prinz' is a perfectly hardy shade variety. Hydrangeas are well known for brightening the north side of houses. This one thrives in the east with morning sun, or in the north, in beds as well as hedges. This variety is suited for cultivation in open ground as well as in large containers placed on a terrace or near an entrance. Even though these plants fear limestone, hydrangeas are not strictly acid-loving plants. They thrive in all non-calcareous but rich soils. Pair them with magellanica fuchsias or annual impatiens, or plant spring-flowering bulbs in front of their round silhouette. Enjoy their magnificent flowering in the garden or in fresh or dried bouquets in the house for a long time.