Hydrangea macrophylla Belle Séduction

Hydrangea macrophylla Belle Seduction 'Bodalan' is a new hardy hydrangea with a spectacular flowering. This variety, initially selected for cut flowers, produces enormous, regular, and long-lasting inflorescences in balls, where a multitude of small flowers are packed. They will be soft pink to bright pink in neutral soil, or celestial blue in acidic soil. Its particularly strong stems support them without weakening throughout the summer, even when weighed down by rain. As they fade, this fabulous flowering changes to shades of green and purple. Plant this shrub in morning sun or shaded and cool exposure, in non-calcareous soil – conditions that will reveal all its splendor.

Hydrangeas are hardy plants belonging to the Hydrangea family and are native to China, Japan, and North America. Hydrangea macrophylla 'Belle Seduction' has a rather rounded, regular habit, supported by thick, straight, and sturdy branches. It reaches approximately 1.6 m (5 ft 2 in) in all directions at maturity. This hydrangea has a fairly regular and long-lasting flowering, from July to September, on strong stems, aged one to two years. It bears somewhat flattened, very dense, ball-shaped inflorescences, measuring up to 25 cm (9.8 in) in diameter. They are composed of sterile florets in the form of cups, pink or blue depending on the soil, taking beautiful green and reddish tones as they fade. The flowering spreads over a very healthy-looking foliage, medium green in colour, rather matte. The leaves are opposite, reaching a minimum length of about 15 cm (5.9 in). They are simple, ovate to elliptical, ending in a tapered point, and coarsely toothed like a saw. From October onwards, the lamina takes on a yellow hue. Hydrangeas can live for at least 50 years.

The 'Belle Seduction' Hydrangea is a sensational plant, to be showcased not far from the house or in a large container on a shaded terrace. It will find its place in a shrub bed or at the end of a path, in gardens of all sizes. Hydrangeas are well known for brightening up the north side of houses. This one will thrive in an east or north exposure, away from the scorching rays of the summer sun. This variety will bring splendor and lushness to slightly darker areas, or near a somewhat hidden entrance. Although hydrangeas dislike limestone, they are not strictly heath plants and thrive in any good garden soil that is non-calcareous or slightly calcareous, improved with compost. Mix them with each other, with Magellan fuchsias, annual impatiens, and lilies, 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 soil pH. 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 aluminium sulphate (contained in slate) or alum stone every spring.