Dichroa x febrifuga Marie

The Dichroa Marie is a charming Asian bush with soft pink flowers that turn gentian blue depending on the soil. This plant is important in traditional Chinese medicine. It blooms during the summer and has pretty foliage that looks good all year round. It also has lovely blue fruiting and grows moderately, making it a good choice for small gardens. Although rare in cultivation, it thrives in non-limestone soil and mild, humid climates. It can also be grown in a pot on a partially shaded terrace. Its flowers are lovely in bouquets.

The Dichroa is a bush from the hydrangea family native to Asia (China, Himalayas). It has a bushy habit, taller than wide, and reaches about 1.50m (4 ft 11 in) in height and 1m (3 ft 4 in) in width after 10 years. Its growth rate is moderate. The foliage remains in winter. It consists of lanceolate, slightly shiny leaves of medium green colour. The young branches are reddish-brown. The flowering period extends from July to September, at the tips of the current year's branches. It takes the form of rounded clusters of small flowers with 5 light pink or gentian blue petals depending on the nature of the soil, surrounding prominent stamens of a purple-pink colour. After pollination by pollinating insects, the nectar-rich flowers give way to small round fruits, of a bright indigo blue, ripening in autumn, decorative but not edible.

The Dichroa Marie can be planted in heather beds, along with hydrangeas, Pieris, camellias, and rhododendrons. It enjoys the same cool environment, with filtered sunlight, and will particularly thrive in coastal gardens. To accompany it, consider shade-loving perennials such as ferns, Japanese anemones, and hostas.

Similar to hydrangeas but less hardy, dichroas are mainly distinguished by the fact that they produce berry-like fruits.