These large hydrangeas must be one of the late summer highlights. This is Annabella (main picture) which is an arborescence species meaning tree It can grow to 2.5m it is by far the biggest.
Similar but smaller with longer flowers rather than
big white footballs we have paniculata varieties. Limelight is the most popular
(with fresh limey green\ white flowers, ) but varieties like Vanilla Fraise,
Wims Red and Phantom (Pictured) are equally outstanding. Most of these reach
about 1.5m although we do have a Little Lime which is about 50cm shorter.
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| Phantom |
The white flowers of the paniculatas tend to fade exquisitely to a tissue paper pink. (Limelight pictured fading to pink)
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| Limelight fading to pink |
There is also a divine pink Annabella. It’s a soft
mauve bluey pink and it plants so well near deep/ purple red foliage such as
cotinus (smoke bush) or rich red shrub roses.
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| Pink Annabella |
Hydrangeas such as these will grow well in a moist dapple shady position. Whether it is urban myth or not I like to think hydra means water. Don't put the somewhere dry and hot!
