Hydrangea aspera subsp.sargentiana

The Hydrangea asperasargentiana is a rare botanical bush found in our gardens. It is spectacular due to its large, dark green velvet leaves with a grey and fluffy underside. Its appearance can evoke that of a tree fern in the shade of an undergrowth. In the summer, it blooms, producing large, slightly rounded mauve-violet flower heads and adorned with a few white flowers. The colours of its flowers are not influenced by soil pH. This slightly suckering species is ideal for large spaces or used as a backdrop for its exotic character and ease of cultivation in ordinary soil that is not too dry.

 
The Hydrangea aspera is a large, hardy bush that belongs to the Hydrangea family. It's originally from southern and eastern Asia and has great variability. The bush is closely related to hydrangeas, with large leaves and ball-shaped flower heads. The former subspecies sargentiana is now recognised as a separate species belonging to the Hydrangea family. Its origins are in central China's dense forests covering the valleys and mountain slopes. It was introduced to Europe in 1908.

The bush is beautiful and bushy, with erect main and flexible secondary branches. These branches are slightly arched and responsible for the rounded and spreading silhouette of the plant, which can sometimes be irregular. When fully mature, the bush reaches about 2 metres (6 feet 7 inches) in all directions. Its flowering period lasts 3 weeks, starting from the end of July, which is shorter than usual hydrangeas. 

This species has a flower head of 25 cm (9.8 in) wide. It consists of small flowers arranged in a parasol shape. The larger and less numerous sterile florets form a very sparse crown around the small fertile flowers. The fertile flowers are similar to small clustered buds, violet in colour, and they open into tiny pink-mauve flowers from the outside to the inside of the corymb. This particular arrangement is called "grandmother's bonnet".

The hydrangea's deciduous foliage consists of elongated leaves measuring up to 30 cm (11.8 in) long. These leaves are lanceolate, serrated, downy, lighter on the underside, and are marked with fairly deep veins. The hydrangea develops branches covered with rough hairs, whose bark exfoliates with age.

This bush thrives in cool environments with light or partial shade. Unlike most bushes, it can grow well in soil with limestone. It can be planted in an ericaceous bed alongside other hydrangeas, Kalmia, or Azalea for example. The Hydrangea aspera sargentiana can be used as a beautiful backdrop for a fragrant viburnum hedge, large deciduous euonymus, or the edge of a grove. It is highly recommended to plant it near a path or window to fully enjoy its unique personality and beauty.