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HYDRANGEA
Commonly known as Hortensia
Colour-changing mopheads and lacecaps in shades of pink, white and blue from early summer to late autumn and delicate skeletons of flower through the winter.
Cones of white from paniculata and bronze and purple foliage from quercifolia.
Genus of 80 or more species of deciduous and evergreen shrubs and climbers. They originate from woodland in eastern Asia and North and South America.
The larger, showier flowers on flat, domed or conical flower heads are sterile, the smaller, fertile flowers are usually found in the centre. The climbers are suitable for a shady wall or fence and mature specimens provide shelter for insects.
Paniculata species attract insects as they have fertile flowers amongst the sterile ones.
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EvergreenLeathery, dark green leaves to 15cm (6in) long, sharply toothed on young plants
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CreamCreamy white
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Height5m (16ft)
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Spread5m (16ft)
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ClimberSome of these climbing plants will need trellis or wire supports if grown on walls or fences. Other grow aerial roots and are self-clingingVigorous, woody climber, clinging by aerial roots. Produces flowerheads to 15cm (6in) across with predominantly fertile flowers from large, spherical buds
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Hardy - average winterHardy through most of the UK apart from inland valleys, at altitude and central/northerly locations. May suffer foliage damage and stem dieback in harsh winters in cold gardens. Plant can withstand temperatures down to -10°C (14°F)
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Full sunShelter from cold, drying winds
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Partial shade
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Additional FeaturesPests & DiseasesAphids, red spider mites, scale insects, vine weevils, capsid bugs, grey mould (Botrytis), hydrangea virus, powdery mildew, leaf spot, honey fungusPlace of originChile, Argentina
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Burncoose SpecialitiesHydrangeas
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HardinessFrost hardy (down to -5)
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Leaf marginEntire
(see photos above) Serrate(see photos above) -
Leaf shapeElliptic
(see photos above) -
Pruning groupPruning group 1Suitable for: Deciduous and evergreen trees, and some deciduous shrubs.
Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Prune wayward or crossing branches to maintain a healthy framework.
When: When dormant in the late winter/early spring. Some in the summer/autumn to prevent bleeding of sap.
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Seasonal InterestSummer
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Soil ConditionsFertile moist well-drained soilModerately fertile. Humus-rich
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Toxic - Category CMay cause skin allergy(People & Pets) Maybe harmful to pets if eaten
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WildlifeRabbit Resistant
- Hydrangeas for everyone!
- Quick tour of hydrangea stocked - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Soil & Feeding
- Pruning Hydrangeas
- Pruning Hydrangeas - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Hydrangeas, keeping them blue - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Propagation
- Drying Flower Heads
- Drying hydrangea flower heads - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Popular Mopheads & Lacecaps
- Hydrangeas and other plants
- Further Reading
Buy Varieties of HYDRANGEA
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. HYDRANGEA 'Alpengluhen'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/hydrangea_aplengluhen_2243a.jpg)
HYDRANGEA 'Alpengluhen'
Mophead - red, medium growing
![Royal Horticultural Society 'Award of Garden Merit' (AGM) AWARD](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/misc/agm_large.png)
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. HYDRANGEA 'Altona'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/HYDRANGEA_ALTONA_2244.jpg)
HYDRANGEA 'Altona'
Mophead - frilled blue or red
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. HYDRANGEA 'Ami Pasquier](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/hydrangea_ami_pasquier_5075.jpg)
HYDRANGEA 'Ami Pasquier
Mophead - deep red, dwarfish habit
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. HYDRANGEA 'Ayesha'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/hydrangea_ayesha_2249.jpg)
HYDRANGEA 'Ayesha'
Mophead - blue or pink lilac-like flowers
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. HYDRANGEA 'Benelux'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/HYDRANGEA_BENELUX.jpg)
HYDRANGEA 'Benelux'
Mophead - very large deep blue flowers
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. HYDRANGEA 'Blueberry Cheesecake'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/hydrangea_blueberry_cheesecake_1.jpg)
HYDRANGEA 'Blueberry Cheesecake'
Lacecap - double blue lace-cap flowers with a yellow eye
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. HYDRANGEA 'Blue Wave'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/HYDRANGEA_BLUE_WAVE.jpg)
HYDRANGEA 'Blue Wave'
Lacecap - ('Mariesii Perfecta')
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. HYDRANGEA 'Enziandom'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/Hydrangea_Enziandom.jpg)
HYDRANGEA 'Enziandom'
Mophead - deepest navy blue on acid soil, one of the finest blues. AM 1993
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. HYDRANGEA 'Europa'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/hydrangea_europa_2253a.jpg)
HYDRANGEA 'Europa'
Mophead - purplish-blue to dark pink
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. HYDRANGEA 'Fireworks'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/hydrangea_fireworks_2254.jpg)
HYDRANGEA 'Fireworks'
Lacecap - (syn. 'Jomari') this exceptional new pure white hydrangea has double star-shaped florets - like exploding fireworks with thin bowed little stems connected with the inflorescence
![Royal Horticultural Society 'Award of Garden Merit' (AGM) AWARD](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/misc/agm_large.png)
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. HYDRANGEA 'Generale Vicomptesse de Vibraye'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/hydrangea_generale_vicomtesse_5228.jpg)
HYDRANGEA 'Generale Vicomptesse de Vibraye'
Mophead - vivid rose or a good blue depending on soil conditions
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. HYDRANGEA 'Geoffrey Chadbund'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/Hydrangea_Geoffrey_chadbund.jpg)
HYDRANGEA 'Geoffrey Chadbund'
Lacecap - red or purple
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. HYDRANGEA 'Glam Rock'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/hydrangea_glam_rock.jpg)
HYDRANGEA 'Glam Rock'
Mophead (syn. Schloss Wackerbath) Pink/purple mophead flowers with green tips and blue centre
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. HYDRANGEA 'Hamburg'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/hydrangea_hamburg_5077.jpg)
HYDRANGEA 'Hamburg'
Mophead - very dense mophead
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. HYDRANGEA 'Hobella'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/hydrangea_hobella_4786a.jpg)
HYDRANGEA 'Hobella'
Lacecap - flowers white flushed pink in summer fading to green in autumn
Useful extras...
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