Hydrangea macrophylla Kazan

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Kazan' is an enchanting hydrangea with large ball-shaped inflorescences composed of triple florets, which are tightly packed together like hundreds of miniature roses. Their changing colour, ranging from greenish white to creamy pink, creates an irresistible fluffy bouquet. The compact, round and sturdy shrub is excellent in borders. With its small size, this hardy and vigorous variety will suit any garden and can also be placed in a large pot on a terrace.

'Kazan' is a beautiful Japanese creation by Shinsuke Tanakaa (patented in 2017). Like all hydrangeas, it belongs to the Hydrangeaceae family, and its ancestor is native to China and Japan. 'Kazan' forms a rounded bush in just a few years, as wide as it is tall. It will reach an average of 1 m (3.3 ft) in all directions. It blooms from July to August, with each flower head remaining attractive for about 1 month. Its dense, round inflorescences, measuring 20 cm to 25 cm (7.9 in to 9.8 in) wide, appear on wood that is at least one year old. The strength of these branches easily supports the weight of the flowers. They are corymbs composed of about 250 sterile flowers, 4 cm (1.6 in) in diameter, with several rows of petals. Their colour evolves from white tinged with chartreuse when they bloom to cream tinged with soft pink when fully open. The flowering spreads over ample, rounded, shiny foliage, which is vivid green bordered with purple tones. The deciduous leaves fall in autumn. They are opposite on the branches and measure about 13.5 cm (5.3 in) in length by 10 cm (3.9 in) in width. They are simple, ovate to elliptical, ending in a tapered point, and coarsely toothed like a saw. Hydrangeas can live at least 50 years.

'Kazan' will delight lovers of spectacular flowering shrubs and make a sensation in shaded or semi-shaded areas of the garden or terrace. Plant it in borders as well as in a small hedge. Highlight it at the edge of the lawn in front of taller shrubs, or near the house. Hydrangea macrophylla 'Tricolor', with delicately variegated foliage, would make a good companion for 'Kazan'. Even though hydrangeas fear limestone, they are not strictly speaking acid-loving plants; they adapt to any good garden soil low in active limestone. Pair them with Japanese maples, ferns, Japanese anemones, lilies, foxgloves, annual impatiens, or plant spring-flowering bulbs in front of their round silhouette. Enjoy their luxurious flowering in the garden or in the house for a long time.

Tip: Don't prune too early! Leave the dried inflorescences on the plant and only cut them back after spring frosts. They effectively protect new growth and future flowers.