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Hydrangea aspera Hot Chocolate

Hydrangea aspera Hot Chocolate
Rough-leaved Hydrangea, Aspera Hydrangea

4,4/5
9 reviews
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A very beautiful plant upon arrival, planted next to other hydrangeas. Currently, I only have 4 stems left as the snails seem to prefer them over the others. Additionally, it has a constant need for water, much greater than the other hydrangeas.

christine, 23/10/2024

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This plant carries a 24 months recovery warranty

More information

A variety of hydrangea that has, in addition to the beautiful bushy habit of other aspera varieties, charming chocolate-coloured foliage. The leaves turn dark green during the summer. The shades of the abundant flowering range from blush pink to mauve.
Flower size
15 cm
Height at maturity
2 m
Spread at maturity
2 m
Exposure
Partial shade, Shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -23°C
Soil moisture
Moist soil
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Best planting time March to May, October to November
Recommended planting time February to June, September to November
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Flowering time July to September
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Description

Hydrangea aspera Hot Chocolate, also known as Hydrangea aspera Hot Chocolate ('Haopr012'), is a tall bushy hydrangea reaching a height of 2.5 m (8.2 ft). The aspera species, with its large velvety leaves, is already uncommon in gardens. This cultivar has chocolate-purple foliage in spring which becomes dark green during summer and then turns yellow-orange in autumn. It presents an abundant flowering in delicate umbels of a "lace-cap" type, ranging from pale pink to lilac, from July to September.

 

Native to the South and East of Asia, the aspera species forms a large bush as wide as it is tall, up to 2 m to 3 m (6.6 ft to 9.8 ft) in size. Its leaves measure about 12 cm to 15 cm (4.7 in to 5.9 in) long by 6 cm to 8 cm (2.4 in to 3.1 in) wide. The Hot Chocolate variety displays young foliage of a beautiful chocolate-purple in spring before turning dark green. The lanceolate and velvety lamina is finely toothed on the edges and has an underside tinted with burgundy. In autumn, its leaves turn yellow-orange.

In summer, the bush bears numerous inflorescences in diffuse umbels about 15 cm (5.9 in) in diameter, nicknamed "grandmother's bonnets" or "lace-caps". The inflorescences are composed of several umbellules of fertile flowers in lilac accompanied by a few large sterile flowers in delicate pink, called pseudoflowers. These flowers are reduced to 4 slightly toothed sepals. 

Hydrangea aspera Hot Chocolate likes cool environments. Plant it in partial shade or even in shade in a place protected from cold and dry winds, in humus-rich and moist soil. This late-flowering shrub is not afraid of spring frosts.

Hot Chocolate is a perfect choice to flower a shaded area, but plant it near a path or a window because it would be a shame to miss its magnificent flowering and unique foliage. It will also make an impression at the edge of a grove, in a light understory, in the back of a flower bed, or near a shady wall of the house. It appreciates the shade cast by a wall during the hottest hours of the day

This plant works well alongside other hydrangeas, Kalmia or Azalea, for example, even if it tolerates limestone soils. In a mixed bed, choose Thalictrums, which will bring lightness to the scene, while a Gunnera will reinforce the spectacular and exotic side of Hydrangea aspera Hot Chocolate. A hedge of this hydrangea, bordered by Rodgersia pinnata 'Superba' with its superb cut foliage topped with pink plumes in June-July will have a grand effect. In a shady courtyard, place different pots of hostas, with their large shiny dark green leaves to contrast with the velvety purple of Hot Chocolate's foliage.

Hydrangea aspera Hot Chocolate in pictures

Hydrangea aspera Hot Chocolate (Foliage) Foliage
Hydrangea aspera Hot Chocolate (Plant habit) Plant habit

Plant habit

Height at maturity 2 m
Spread at maturity 2 m
Habit Irregular, bushy
Growth rate normal

Flowering

Flower colour mauve
Flowering time July to September
Inflorescence Umbel
Flower size 15 cm

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour chocolate

Botanical data

Genus

Hydrangea

Species

aspera

Cultivar

Hot Chocolate

Family

Hydrangeaceae

Other common names

Rough-leaved Hydrangea, Aspera Hydrangea

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference7819151

Planting and care

Plant in a shady, semi-shady, or gently sunny position, in a hole filled with a mixture of garden soil, leaf compost, and ericaceous soil if your soil is very chalky. Normally, this variety grows well in ordinary, deep, well-drained soil that remains relatively moist in summer. It is one of the few, along with Hydrangea quercifolia and its varieties, that is indifferent to the presence of limestone in the soil. A supplement of well-rotted manure or compost is a plus. Abundant watering at the time of planting and during the first two years following planting is essential, and it is also recommended to water it occasionally during the summer in case of drought. After September, stop all watering and in cold regions, protect the stumps with a mulch of dead leaves, for example. This large-growing variety of hydrangea is not suitable for container cultivation. It will be much happier in the ground.

Planting period

Best planting time March to May, October to November
Recommended planting time February to June, September to November

Intended location

Suitable for Woodland edge, Undergrowth
Type of use Border, Back of border, Hedge
Hardiness Hardy down to -23°C (USDA zone 6a) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 1 per m2
Exposure Partial shade, Shade
Soil pH Acidic, Neutral
Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light)
Soil moisture Moist soil, light and humus-bearing

Care

Pruning instructions If necessary, prune at the end of winter in early March. Keep in mind that flowers only appear on last year's wood and mainly on terminal buds. Remove dead wood and some old branches from the base to open up the silhouette. However, if you prune your bush back more than 30 cm (11.8 in) you risk not seeing it flower during the year. In autumn after flowering, remove the stems that have already flowered and the shoots that appear weak to you. Watch out for slugs and snails, which are very fond of buds in spring.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time February to March
Soil moisture Moist soil
Disease resistance Very good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground
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