Hydrangea macrophylla Cloudi

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Cloudi' is a variety with relatively flat inflorescences, quite different from the large usual heads observed in this type of hydrangea. Its summer flowering spreads over several months, from July-August to September-October. Its pastel flowers, blue in acidic soil or pink in neutral to slightly alkaline soil, give it an undeniable romantic charm. Medium-sized, this beautiful, easy-going bush will be happy in semi-shaded areas, isolated, or in the heart of a mixed bed. 

Hydrangea macrophylla is a deciduous bush, native to Japan, where its beauty has been appreciated for centuries and mentioned in poems dating back to the 8th century! Festivals are even dedicated to this bush. It can be found growing wild on the island of Honshu (which is home to the capital Tokyo), and it was introduced to Europe around 1789. It belongs to the Hydrangeaceae family. 

According to some sources, 'Cloudi' is the result of cross-breeding between Hydrangea macrophylla and H. serrata, which would explain the relatively flat shape of the flower, as well as its preference for wet soils. It is a variety that produces beautiful pastel blue inflorescences in acidic soil, turning pale-pink in neutral to slightly alkaline soil, clearly visible on the medium green mass of foliage which they almost completely cover. In summer, it blooms for many weeks, between July and September. Its inflorescences consist of very narrow and very tight fertile flowers in the centre, and sterile florets of a larger surface on the periphery, the whole recalling certain flowers of Viburnum. This particular morphology combined with the softness of the colouring gives a romantic aspect to this variety. A medium-sized bush, about 1.2m (4ft) high and wide, it has an average growth of 15 to 25cm (6 to 10in) per year. Its dimensions can easily be contained by annual pruning. Like all Hydrangea macrophylla, this bush is not a strictly ericaceous plant. It prefers neutral to acidic soils, while tolerating a bit of limestone.

'Cloudi' arouses emotion with its pastel colour and graceful flowers. You can plant it isolated under the light shade of large trees, but it will also be valuable in mixed beds of acidic-soil plants. Choose plants with staggered flowering throughout the year to frame that of 'Cloudi'. In a romantic register, plant it with a botanical camellia like C. transnokoensis, with charming little white flowers appearing in late winter and early spring. The purple pink single flowers of Magnolia 'Susan' will then take over, closely followed by those of Kalmias, mountain laurels with original small white, pink or red flowers, depending on the variety.