Hydrangea macrophylla Freudenstein

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Freudenstein' boasts vibrant bright pink flowering, which stands out well against its dark green foliage. It forms a relatively compact bush, of medium size, that can be planted alone, on the edge of trees, or in a clump with other bushes or perennial plants. Its foliage takes on lovely hues in autumn, which adds to its charm. This hardy hydrangea should be planted in a semi-shaded position, in neutral to acidic soil. In the latter case, its flowers will be blue. It is easy to grow, requiring only annual pruning in spring and watering in summer to keep the soil moist.

Hydrangea macrophylla is a deciduous bush, native to Japan, where its beauty has been appreciated for centuries and mentioned in poems dating back to the 8th century! Festivals are even dedicated to this bush. It can be found growing wild on the island of Honshu (which is home to the capital Tokyo), and it was introduced to Europe around 1789.

'Freudenstein' is a Swiss variety, obtained by the selector Walter Preisig (Haller nursery) in 1966. Of medium growth, it forms a relatively compact bush, about 1.5m (5ft) in all directions, with glossy dark green foliage. The stems are robust, which allows them to support the large ball-shaped inflorescences well. These are made up of bright pink flowers in neutral soil, light blue in acidic soil, gathered in inflorescences about 20cm (8in) in diameter. They form a fairly strong colour contrast on the dark mass of the foliage, which takes on lovely colours in autumn. Like all Hydrangea macrophylla, it is not strictly an ericaceous plant. It prefers neutral to acidic soils, rich in humus. It is quite hardy (-20°C (-4°F) or more). Severe frosts can damage the ends of the branches, but they easily regrow after pruning in spring. Easy to grow, it can live a very long time.

'Freudenstein' is a generous plant, which will make a big impact in the garden alongside other flowering bushes that like non-limestone soils. Choose plants with staggered flowering throughout the year to frame this hydrangea's flowering. For the beginning of the year, Hamamelis 'Diane' will light up the short days of February with its graceful spider-shaped red flowers. In spring, choose a beautiful romantic variety of camellia like 'Tom Thumb', with its flesh-pink flowers edged with white from February to April, followed in May-June by Kalmia or mountain laurel, among the many varieties available. And to end the year in beauty, Camellia sasanqua, with its well-open petals and its bright cluster of yellow stamens will be perfect.