6 hydrangeas with colourful wood or foliage

Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Zorro’: a beautiful flowering on coloured stems

‘Zorro’ is a beautiful variety of hydrangea with coloured wood, decorative all year round. Its originality lies in its black stems, which provide a striking contrast with the colour of the flowers, as well as the leaves.

The abundant flowering occurs late in summer, from August to October. The bush is then adorned with large rounded inflorescences with flat heads, reaching between 15 and 18 cm in diameter. ‘Zorro’ can bloom in blue-violet or pink, with the colour varying depending on the growing conditions. The blue flowering will be achieved in acidic soil, combined with aluminium or iron minerals (naturally present in the soil or added through a blueing product for hydrangeas). The pink flowering, on the other hand, will result from cultivation without the addition of aluminium sulfate, in soil with a rather neutral pH.

The light green foliage is also enhanced by the coloured wood of this variety. Even in winter, this hydrangea remains aesthetically pleasing thanks to its stems. Do not prune the faded inflorescences, which will remain in place and can delicately be covered with snow or frost.

In terms of shape, our bush forms a beautiful bush about 1.5 metres in all directions. Easy to grow, hardy and vigorous, it thrives in the shade, sheltered from the sun’s rays. Plant it in a mass, as a standalone, or in a container to brighten up terraces and balconies.

Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Zorro’

Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Choco Pur’: a chic and modern variety full of contrast

TheHydrangea macrophylla ‘Choco Pur’, like its counterpart ‘Choco Chic’, is part of the French-bred hydrangeas from the ‘Rendez-Vous’ series. These bushes are characterised by black stems that provide an incredible contrast with the pure white flowering.

Our bush produces semi-spherical inflorescences, resembling domes, from June to September, reaching approximately 12 cm in diameter. They consist of a multitude of small immaculate flowers, some slightly tinged with green. The glossy dark green foliage serves as a backdrop to this graceful flowering, before disappearing in autumn.

As graphic as it is elegant, this hydrangea boasts numerous qualities: floriferous, robust, and suitable for cultivation both outdoors and indoors, it will fit in anywhere. Its compact silhouette, reaching 1 metre in all directions, allows it to be grown both in the garden and in pots. Like all hydrangea macrophylla, it should be cultivated in shaded or partially shaded conditions, in non-calcareous soil.

Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Choco Pur’

Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Little Honey’: spectacular foliage colours

‘Little Honey’ is an oak-leaved hydrangea that offers an original and evolving colour. Hydrangeas typically have light or dark green foliage during the summer, whereas this stunning variety boasts particularly bright golden-yellow leaves. The young leaves initially display an intense yellow, before gradually taking on lime-green hues over time. But the spectacle doesn’t stop there! In autumn, the foliage changes colour again to vibrant shades of red-orange.

The late summer flowering occurs from August to October. Our hydrangea produces large paniculate inflorescences nearly 25 cm long, delicately curved. Initially pure white, they take on pale pink tones in autumn.

This hydrangea reaches about 1.5 metres in height and 2 metres in spread at maturity.

Hydrangea quercifolia usually tolerates sunny situations. However, the light foliage of this variety prefers a partially shaded position, protected from direct sunlight. For the rest, ‘Little Honey’ proves easy to care for, even tolerating the presence of lime in the soil.

Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Little Honey’

Hydrangea aspera ‘Hot Chocolate’: a stunning purple foliage

‘Hot Chocolate’ is a Hydrangea aspera, valued for its vigour and beautiful bushy habit. However, it is primarily its colourful and unique foliage that captures our attention here. Its large, velvety leaves are initially chocolate-purple in spring. They then turn dark green during the summer, before taking on yellow-orange hues in autumn. An evolving variety that leaves no room for monotony!

In terms of flowering, our shrub hydrangea comes to life in summer, producing delicate flat umbels reminiscent of lace. They measure 15 cm in diameter. Their colour ranges from candy pink to lavender, creating a stunning contrast with the foliage.

This variety of hydrangea with purple foliage reaches nearly 2.5 metres in height and 2 metres in spread. It is best suited for the garden, grown in isolation, in a heather soil mass, or in a beautiful shrub hedge. Provide it with a shaded or partially shaded location and ensure the substrate remains consistently fresh (moist).

Hydrangea aspera ‘Hot Chocolate’

Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Light'o'Day’: a variegated foliage to brighten shady areas

‘Light’o’Day’ truly lives up to its name: it is a genuine source of light in the garden. Its unique foliage reveals a green margin that is randomly variegated with white and grey-green.

The summer flowering presents us with flat-topped inflorescences, composed of a crown of white florets surrounding small pink or blue buds, depending on the nature of the soil.

Our hydrangea will thrive in shade or partial shade, whether planted in the ground or in a pot, adding a real touch of brilliance. Its modest silhouette, reaching 1.2 metres in all directions, allows it to easily find its place anywhere.

Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Light’o’Day’

Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Dark Angel’: a fire-resistant ornamental variety

‘Dark Angel’ is part of the ‘Black Diamonds’ series, which includes hydrangeas renowned for their exceptional resilience: neither rain, nor sun, nor cold seem to affect the flowering of these bushes.

But this is not the only quality of this hydrangea. It especially rewards us with a magnificent dark, veined foliage, which is very aesthetic. The waxy-textured leaves are tinged with purple and black, highlighted by lovely dark green veins. They perfectly showcase the summer flowering. The flowers consist of rounded inflorescences, with a colour blending red, purple, and mauve.

Its slow growth and compact development (1 metre in all directions) make it suitable for both gardens and terraces or balconies. It will bring a lot of brightness to shaded or partially shaded areas thanks to its flowering and the shine of its foliage.