Hydrangea macrophylla Black Steel Zebra

The Hortensia or Hydrangea macrophylla Black Steel 'Zebra' is a unique discovery. It is a seductive plant in its contrast and elegance. It forms a compact bush with ebony-black stems and lush fir-green foliage, upon which rounded white and billowy flowers appear throughout the summer. This small, hardy shrub, with its innovative style, will also make an impression in winter. It fits perfectly in small, well-kept gardens as well as on a contemporary terrace, to brighten up a shaded area, in fresh, non-calcareous soil.

Hydrangea macrophylla Black Steel 'Zebra' is a curious hydrangea with black and shiny wood. It is the result of cross-breeding between the species Hydrangea macrophylla and H. aspera, among others. All these hardy plants belong to the Hydrangeaceae family, originating from China and Japan. 'Zebra' is part of a series of cultivars selected for their dark stems. This bush has a compact and rounded, regular and elegant habit. It reaches a mature size of about 1 m (3.3 ft) in all directions, with fairly rapid growth. From July to September-October, its small fertile and sterile flowers form medium-sized, rounded and dense hemispherical inflorescences, 10 cm to 20 cm (3.9 in to 7.9 in) long. They are composed of turbinate sterile and fertile florets, initially lime green at flowering, becoming white over time. In acidic soil, the flowers can take on a pale blue hue when mature. The flowering period extends over abundant, shiny dark green, deciduous, dentate foliage. The leaves are opposite, reaching a minimum length of about 10 cm (3.9 in). They are simple, ovate to elliptical, ending in a tapered point, coarsely toothed like a saw. Hydrangeas can live for at least 50 years.

'Zebra' is a striking plant that can resemble a fragrance-free gardenia. 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 full sun or partial shade, in flower beds as well as in isolation. This variety is particularly well-suited for container gardening, which can be placed on a terrace in a beautiful pot, or near an entrance. Although these plants dislike limestone, they are not strictly speaking acid-loving 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.