An inexperienced gardener is very hard to resist buying Hydrangea macrophilla. Usually Western European nurseries deliver them in containers already in a blossoming condition: magnificent magnificence of multi-colored bushes can’t leave indifferent any gardener. But it must be borne in mind that, having settled the macrophile in his garden, you have to provide her with special wintering conditions in a harsh climate. Biological features of this type of hydrangeas are that flower buds laid on the shoots of last year and require careful winter shelter.
Thanks to the efforts of breeders in the line of varieties Hydrangea in the 1980s appeared remontant varieties that bloom on the shoots of last year, and on the shoots growing in the current season. They bloom, however, quite late and are more suitable for regions where there is a long warm autumn. In the middle zone flowering may be defective due to the early onset of cold weather. And even these varieties should not only shelter for the winter, but also to keep from the early autumn frosts.
New hydrangeas are classified as winter hardy. But winter hardiness is a relative concept. Recall that Hydrangea macrophilla comes from Japan and China, from where the conditions for their existence are much more suitable: macrophiles like a warm and humid climate. In Europe, they are generally first grown as houseplants and nowhere further greenhouses are not planted.
In a fairly harsh climate, certain varieties of Hydrangea macrophilla are able to survive, but under the condition of their indispensable winter shelter. The question is not only that the bushes suffered difficult wintering conditions with its negative temperatures and prolonged thaws.
It’s all about flowering, which may not happen, as flower buds laid on the shoots of last year, very sensitive to cold. They can ruin even a small autumn or spring return frost. Literally overnight you will lose the opportunity to admire the flowering of these hydrangeas in the current season, although the Bush itself can come out of winter without any visible loss. Therefore, with regard to Hydrangeas Large-Left, there can be only one conclusion: there are no indomitable varieties in, no matter what breeders and suppliers say about their “winter hardiness”.
Remontant varieties
Remontant varieties, blooming on last year’s shoots, and on new branches growing over the summer, make it possible to achieve stable flowering. Moreover, the ability of hydrangea to bloom on summer shoots compensates for the lack of flowering on the old ones, if for some reason (unreliable shelter, harsh winter, etc.) did not bloom.
‘Endless Summer’
The first of the remontant varieties was called ‘Endless Summer’, becoming the ancestor of the whole series. Plants from this group, according to eyewitnesses, withstand frosts to -29ºC. Among the new varieties stands out ‘Twist & Shout’ with lace flat inflorescences, in the middle of which are small fertile flowers, surrounded by a necklace of large sterile pink flowers. One of the novelties of this series – a lovely variety called ‘Blushing Bride’ c white inflorescences, touched with a slight blush.
Another new product – ‘Bloom Star’ c large, up to 18 cm in diameter caps of flowers, which on alkaline soils turn pink, and acidic – acquire a blue-purple hue. Feature grade – shoots are Burgundy in color.
Forever & Ever
There are varieties derived from even more frost-resistant hydrangea ‘Early Sensation’, combined in a series of Forever & Ever, which can withstand frosts up to-35ºC. This, in particular, ‘Red Sensation’ with inflorescences of bright scarlet color and light cream middle at the stage of half-flower. Grade ‘Peppermint’ different pink flower caps with a white border on the edges. From the same series: white floral ‘White Ball’, bright blue variety ‘Blue Heaven’ and chameleon variety that can take either pink or blue color depending on the acidity of the soil – ‘Pink/Blue Early Sensation’.
You & Me
There was a whole series of Japanese remontant winter-hardy Terry varieties under the cap You & Me, which included such varieties as:
- ‘You & Me Together’ – crimson-purple Terry variety, which blooms in green, and then acquires a crimson hue, on the Bush at the same time are the inflorescences of both colors;
- purple Terry ‘You & Me Romance’;
- ‘You & Me Expression’ — in Terry inflorescences present pink flowers of different intensity;
- lingonberry-pink variety ‘You&Me Forever’ with cream middle;
- purple hydrangea ‘You & Me Symphony’;
- ‘You & Me Eternity’ with double pointed pink star flowers in lush spherical inflorescences;
- ‘You & Me Love’ — new in 2015 with pale pink Terry flowers resembling roses;
- from this group a sort of ‘You & Me Perfection’ with the flowers are bright pink fuchsia shade, similar to pointed stars.
Also from Terry varieties worth noting ‘Miss Saori’ (2014) — amazing beauty hydrangea with flowers of pearl pink with dark cherry edging.
Hovaria
Among the remontant hydrangeas, a group of hydrangea Hovaria. In recent years, many new interesting varieties have appeared in this series. Some of them have flowers of different colors – blue, purple, lilac, pink or crimson, but one amazing shape, reminiscent of a Cup with curved petals inside, like a lilac. Bright representative – hydrangea ‘Ayesha’.
These varieties can not be confused with anything, and they are easy to identify by name – many it begins with the Latin letter H, indicating membership in the group. It is a lilac-blue variety ‘Homigo’, pinkish-lilac ‘Hanabi Rose’ with huge, up to 25 cm in diameter flat inflorescences Terry flowers, spectacular purple with green middle ‘Holibee’, hydrangea ‘Hobella’ with flat white-pink inflorescences, ‘Hobergine’ – dark purple variety, which in the center of the round inflorescences are green petals, ‘Hopaline’-with white caps with yellowish – green middle and carved edges of petals.
In this series and variety ‘Hopcorn’. In the phase of semi-flowering in the middle of its inflorescences are small green fertile flowers-balls, which eventually unfold and acquire a characteristic color for the variety. On the edge they are surrounded by a necklace of large purple or pink sterile flowers, which makes the inflorescence similar to the pile of popcorn.
Among the new products in this series — a well-recognized variety ‘Mirai’. The flowers have white-pink petals with darker pink edging, eventually turn green. Stunning beauty of the picture, when one Bush are pink and green inflorescences, in perfect harmony with each other. Another remontant variety – ‘Ripple’ with inflorescences quite rare lingonberry shade.
Other remontant varieties
The list of varieties that have become available to the gardener is constantly expanding. In addition to the previously known remontant varieties ‘Grand Choise’, ‘Pink Wonder’, ‘Hamburg’, ‘Passion’, on sale you can find the latest news. Among them, you should pay attention to the Remontant Varieties, which are usually on the accompanying tags marked with the letters RE (Re-blooming or re-blooming), Everyblooming or Persistent.
Recommend ‘Magical Sapphire’ – bright scarlet variety, caps is in the process of flowering, gradually becoming light green to green in color. ‘Early Blue’ – blue variety, which when watered with aluminum alum becomes rich blue. In varieties ‘Camilla’ bloom reddish-pink flowers with white edging. The variety ‘Spike’ dark pink petals with a wavy edge, which makes it extremely elegant. Outstanding white floral grade ‘Madame Emile Mouillere’ during flowering all covered with huge caps inflorescences with pink blush, over time, the flowers turn green. A great plant to create a “white garden”!
Among the proven in our Northern latitudes Hydrangea macrophilla experienced gardeners are advised to pay attention to the following varieties: ‘Fireworks Pink’ (pink), ‘Fireworks White’ (white), ‘Coco Blanc’ (white Terry, synonyms: ‘Double Star Coco’, ‘Triple Star Coco’), ‘Shamrock’ (Terry), ‘David Ramsey’, ‘Oak Hill’, ‘Decatur Blue’, ‘All Summer Beauty’, ‘Mini penny’, ‘Let’s Dance Starlight’ (synonym for ‘Linn’), ‘let’s Dance Moonlight’, ‘Eva Lyon Holmes’, ‘Sweet Fantasy’.