Originating from Japan, the Yoraku Tama hydrangea is a lovely selection still unknown to gardeners that is sure to become the star of autumn gardens. Less well-known than its cousins, the macrophylla and paniculata hydrangeas, this hydrangea is a selection of Hydrangea involucrata.
Hydrangea involucrata Yoraku Tama
Neglected by gardeners, Hydrangea involucrata are small, stocky bushes rarely exceeding 1m in height, featuring small umbels of flowers in pale mauve and soft pink shades. They are slightly running and have the unique characteristic of forming flower buds that resemble those of Japanese peonies.
But back to our Yoraku Tama, this new selection is truly astonishing because, firstly, it produces inflorescences much larger than the wild hydrangea involucrata (the flowers measure about 25cm in diameter), secondly, the flowers are double and porcelain pink, which is quite uncommon for this species, and finally, the inflorescences bloom much later than other hydrangeas; in fact, it is the very last to flower in the garden!
Lastly, three final points before adopting it: -1. it is compact (1.20m by 1.20m) and can be planted in a pot or near the front door of the house, -2. it thrives in any fresh, rich soil, provided it does not lack water during the summer, and -3. it is not fragile to cold and blooms until November; yes, it is possible.
Here is a close-up of the flower bud of the Hydrangea involucrata Yoraku Tama. Without the foliage, one could almost mistake it for a peony flower about to bloom.
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