Hydrangea macrophylla Black Steel Purple
Hydrangea macrophylla Black Steel Purple
Hydrangea macrophylla Black Steel Purple
Bigleaf Hydrangea, French Hydrangea, Mophead Hydrangea
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Description
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Black Steel Purple', also known as Hortensia, is part of a series of remarkable hybrids with shiny stems, fully coloured in an almost black purple. As its name suggests, 'Black Steel Purple' produces purple to violet flowers in acidic soil. It is a compact bush, with ebony-black stems and lush dark green foliage, which blooms generously in summer. Its beautiful dark branches will stand out in winter. It fits well in small gardens as well as on a terrace with a contemporary decor, to illuminate a shaded area, in moist, non-calcareous soil.
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Black Steel Purple' is an amazing hydrangea with black and shiny wood. It is the result of cross-breeding between species such as H. macrophylla and H. aspera. All these hardy plants belong to the Hydrangeaceae family and are native to China and Japan.
'Black Steel Purple' has a compact and rounded, regular, elegant habit. At maturity, it reaches about 1m (3ft) in all directions, with fairly rapid growth. This variety blooms from June to September-October. Its sterile florets gather in medium-sized (10 to 12cm (4 to 5in)), rounded and dense inflorescences. The florets are born greenish yellow and gradually turn violet. In calcareous soil, the flowers will have a more pink to red colouration. The flowering extends over abundant, thick, glossy, very dark green foliage. The leaves are opposite, reaching a minimum length of about 10cm (4in). They are simple, ovate to elliptical, with a pointed tip, and are roughly toothed like a saw. The deciduous foliage turns burgundy red in autumn before falling. Hydrangeas can live for at least 50 years.
'Black Steel Purple' is a sculptural plant, with an elegant and assertive personality. It is a first-class ornamental shrub. Hydrangeas are well known for brightening the north side of houses. This one will thrive in a non-burning east or west exposure, in full sun or partial shade, in flower beds as well as in isolation. This variety is particularly suitable for container cultivation, which can be placed on a terrace in a beautiful pot, or near an entrance. Even though hydrangeas fear limestone, they are not strictly speaking acid-loving plants, and will thrive in all good non-calcareous garden soils. Pair them with magellanica fuchsias or annual impatiens, or plant spring-flowering bulbs and lilies in front of their round silhouette. Enjoy their sumptuous flowering in the garden or in the house for a long time.
Hydrangea macrophylla Black Steel Purple in pictures
Plant habit
Flowering
Foliage
Botanical data
Hydrangea
macrophylla
Black Steel Purple
Hydrangeaceae
Bigleaf Hydrangea, French Hydrangea, Mophead Hydrangea
Cultivar or hybrid
Planting and care
Plant in spring or early autumn, preferably in a slightly shaded position, for example against an east-facing wall or even to the north. In very cold regions, it may be prudent to overwinter it in a cold greenhouse or in the conservatory, even though it can withstand -15°C (5°F) without suffering. Protect it from cold and drying winds. It does not require ericaceous soil, but appreciates deep, moist, well-drained, and fairly fertile soil, optionally enriched with a good base fertiliser before planting. If planting near a wall and the soil is dry at its base, place the root ball at least 30 to 40cm (12 to 16in) away from it and incorporate a quantity of well-decomposed compost to better retain moisture in the soil. Very hardy, it is not afraid to be planted in cold regions.
As for pruning, remove faded flowers on the first bud or on the pair of buds directly below. When the plant is mature, cut the oldest stems back to the base by a quarter or a third. This will promote the formation of young shoots. Carry out this pruning every year during March and April.
Planting period
Intended location
Care
Planting & care advice
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Hardiness is the lowest winter temperature a plant can endure without suffering serious damage or even dying. However, hardiness is affected by location (a sheltered area, such as a patio), protection (winter cover) and soil type (hardiness is improved by well-drained soil).
The flowering period indicated on our website applies to countries and regions located in USDA zone 8 (France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands, etc.)
It will vary according to where you live:- In zones 9 to 10 (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), flowering will occur about 2 to 4 weeks earlier.
- In zones 6 to 7 (Germany, Poland, Slovenia, and lower mountainous regions), flowering will be delayed by 2 to 3 weeks.
- In zone 5 (Central Europe, Scandinavia), blooming will be delayed by 3 to 5 weeks.
In temperate climates, pruning of spring-flowering shrubs (forsythia, spireas, etc.) should be done just after flowering.
Pruning of summer-flowering shrubs (Indian Lilac, Perovskia, etc.) can be done in winter or spring.
In cold regions as well as with frost-sensitive plants, avoid pruning too early when severe frosts may still occur.
The planting period indicated on our website applies to countries and regions located in USDA zone 8 (France, United Kingdom, Ireland, Netherlands).
It will vary according to where you live:
- In Mediterranean zones (Marseille, Madrid, Milan, etc.), autumn and winter are the best planting periods.
- In continental zones (Strasbourg, Munich, Vienna, etc.), delay planting by 2 to 3 weeks in spring and bring it forward by 2 to 4 weeks in autumn.
- In mountainous regions (the Alps, Pyrenees, Carpathians, etc.), it is best to plant in late spring (May-June) or late summer (August-September).
The harvesting period indicated on our website applies to countries and regions in USDA zone 8 (France, England, Ireland, the Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...) fruit and vegetable harvests are likely to be delayed by 3-4 weeks.
In warmer areas (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), harvesting will probably take place earlier, depending on weather conditions.
The sowing periods indicated on our website apply to countries and regions within USDA Zone 8 (France, UK, Ireland, Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...), delay any outdoor sowing by 3-4 weeks, or sow under glass.
In warmer climes (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), bring outdoor sowing forward by a few weeks.