Hydrangea × versicolor
A small to medium, rounded shrub to approximately 1.5m tall with evergreen, elliptic leaves. Large, domed heads of tiny flowers emerging from white buds may be produced throughout the year in warmer climates with their colour varying according to the pH of the soil; blue flowers in acid soils and lilac to pinkish shades in alkaline conditions
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Blue Pink | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Blue Pink | Green | ||
| Autumn | Blue Pink | Green | ||
| Winter | Blue Pink | Green |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Hydrangeaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Potentially harmful
- Skin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets (dogs, cats): Harmful if eaten. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
- Genus
Hydrangea can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs, or self-clinging climbers, with flowers in clusters usually comprising both small fertile and more showy sterile flowers; often good autumn colour
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in any moist but well-drained soil in partial shade or grow in sun if soil remains reliably moist. Improve chalky soils with organic matter to support good growth. See shrubby hydrangea cultivation for further advice
Propagation
Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Conservatory and greenhouse
- Flower borders and beds
- Wall side borders
Pruning
Prune lightly after flowering if required
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids, capsid bug and hydrangea scale
Diseases
May be susceptible to a leaf spot, powdery mildews, grey moulds (Botrytis) and honey fungus (rarely)
Get involved
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