GARDENING HG
AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN| 157
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ograph by Jessica Tremp (Pop & Scott). This page p
hotography from Tesselaar (‘Strawberries &
Cream’), Plants Management Australia (Obsidian Collection, You & Me Series, ‘Sundae Fraise’), Bailey Nurseries (‘Endless Summer’).HOT FAVOURITES
If you think hydrangeas are a bitold school,prepare to be won over
by five exciting new varieties on offer, writesHelen Young.5
‘SUNDAE FRAISE’
First seen at the Melbourne
International Flower &
Garden Show earlier this
year, this new variety of
Hydrangeapaniculata
toleratesmoresunthan
other hydrangeas and has
smaller leaves. The long,
conical flower clusters start
green before turning white,
andthenbecomedeeper
pink as they mature. It
growsto1.2mx1.2mand
flowers from summer
through autumn. ‘Diamond
Rouge’ deepens to even
brighter red shades.4
‘ENDLESS
SUMMER’
Hydrangeas traditionally
produce just one bloom per
stem each year, but ‘Endless
Summer’ hydrangeas are a
breakthrough in breeding.
They repeat flower,
allowing a flowering season
10-12 weeks longer than
usual. Pruning below the
spent flowers stimulates
new growth and new
flowers. ‘The Original’ is
the classic blue or pink
mophead, while ‘Blushing
Bride’ (above) is white,
maturing to blushing pink.
Both grow to about 1mx1m.3
YOU & ME SERIES
Thisnewseries,bredin
Japan, consists of romantic,
double-flowered forms that
are suitable for gardens or
pots. The flower heads are
largeandprolific,inarange
of colours. ‘Desire’ is
mid-blue to pink, ‘Forever’ is
pale blue to pink, and
‘Romance’ (above) is strong
blue to pink. Most recently a
pure white ‘Peace’ and pink/
purple ‘Perfection’ have
been released. They grow to
about 1mx1.5m.2
OBSIDIAN
COLLECTION
Uniquely, these hydrangeas
have black stems that
contrast dramatically with
its green foliage and
colourful flowers. ‘White
Knight’ has white mophead
blooms, ‘Black Lace’ is a
lacecap type in blue to pink,
and ‘Storm Cloud’ (above)
features large mopheads
that are deep blue or purple
through to deep pink. They
reach 1.2m tall x 1.2m wide.
‘STRAWBERRIES
& CREAM’
This lacecap variety has
rich, strawberry-red flowers
surrounding a cream-to-
pale pink centre. Flowering
timeisalittleearlier,from
late spring. Its compact size
and glossy, dark-green
leaves make it ideal for pots
yetitalsoperformswellin
thegarden.Expectaheight
of 0.9-1.2m in the garden
and0.6-0.8minapot.
‘Blueberries & Cream’ is
similar but with dramatic
cornflower-blue flowers on
a slightly larger plant.HYDRANGEA CARE TIPS
✚Choose a lightly shaded position, sheltered from hot winds.
✚Hydrangeas like rich, well-drainedsoil and ample water in summer.
They’re best in cool to mild climates rather than the tropics.
✚For deep-blue flowers, apply Yates Liquid Aluminium Sulfate as directed on
the label. For pink blooms, add lime or dolomite to the soil. Start in spring.
✚Prune in mid-winter, cutting back stems that flowered to a pair of fat buds.
✚Fertilise in spring with an organic-based, slow-release fertiliser.
✚In the garden, mix hydrangeas with winter-flowering camellias that make
a show when hydrangea bushes are bare.COLOUR CHEMISTRY
Hydrangeas change colour
accordingtothepHofthesoil.
Youwillgetblueflowersinacidic
soil,pinkinalkaline,andmauve
whenthemixissomewhereinthe
middle. White blooms generally
stay white, but may develop pale
pink tones as they age.