Hydrangea macrophylla Baron Pourpre

The Hydrangea macrophylla 'Baron Pourpre' is a new and not widely distributed hydrangea, which stands out first by its deeply veined dark green toothed foliage and then by its pink-purple inflorescences, more violet in acidic soil. During the summer, beautiful balls composed of dark pink-purple fringed florets appear, turning red around a small white-cream to lime green centre. It is perfect for making fresh or dried bouquets. Its round and bushy habit is well suited for growing in large pots or in shaded flower beds, in non-limestone soil.

The 'Baron Pourpre' Hydrangea macrophylla, recently obtained in France, is one of the many hybrids obtained by cross-breeding hardy species belonging to the hydrangea family, native to China and Japan. This ramified and compact shrub has a rounded habit, as wide as it is tall, reaching 1.50m (4ft 11in) in all directions. In summer, its small fertile and sterile flowers, with striking dimorphism, form round inflorescences of a beautiful size, initially lime green and gradually turning purple, with more or less mauve reflections in acidic soil. At the end of flowering, the florets are purple with a white centre. They are carried by strong stems. The flowering is accompanied by particularly dark green foliage marked with deep veins, deciduous. The leaves are opposite, reaching a minimum length of ten centimetres. They are simple, ovate to elliptical, ending in a pointed tip, strongly saw-toothed. Hydrangeas can live for at least 50 years.

The 'Baron Pourpre' Hydrangea has excellent hardiness and a very vigorous flowering. Hydrangeas are well known for brightening up the north side of houses. This one will thrive in a non-burning east or west exposure, in flower beds as well as in hedges. This variety is suitable for growing in the ground or in containers, which can be placed on the terrace or near the entrance. Although these plants fear limestone, they are not strictly speaking ericaceous plants. Mix them with Magellan fuchsias, annual impatiens, or plant spring-flowering bulbs in front of their round silhouette. Enjoy their sumptuous flowering in the garden or in the house for a long time.

Note: The colour of Hydrangea macrophylla flowers varies depending on the pH of the soil. Traditionally blue varieties turn pink in neutral or alkaline soil. To maintain a beautiful blue colour, mix heath soil or blonde peat into your garden soil and apply aluminum sulphate (slate contains it) or alum stone every spring.