Hydrangea macrophylla Lanarth White

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Lanarth White' is a flat-head hydrangea with white flowers bearing a pink or blue heart depending on the acidity of the soil. This old variety is still relevant today because its long summer flowering is valued in the garden when few bushes are blooming. It forms a compact bush of about 1.3 m (4.3 ft) in all directions, with healthy green foliage. Hardy down to -15° C (5° F), this hydrangea should be placed in a shady position, in neutral to acidic soil. It is easy to grow, suitable for coastal areas, and only requires annual pruning in spring and watering in summer to keep the soil fresh. 

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! In a country that attaches great importance to plants, festivals are even dedicated to this bush. Hydrangeas belong to the Hydrangeaceae family. 'Lanarth White' is an old variety discovered in Great Britain in 1947, in Lanarth (Cornwall) by Michael Williams. Its coastal origin gives it good wind resistance.

It is a flat-headed variety ("lace-cap"), with the centre formed by very small tight fertile flowers, surrounded by simple white sterile flowers. The fertile flowers turn blue in acidic soil and pink in neutral to alkaline soil (the white colour is not affected by the soil pH). This particular inflorescence is visually quite different from the large balls carried by round-headed Hydrangea macrophylla. In fact, this type of lace-cap hydrangea can be confused with certain Viburnums by beginners (Viburnum plicatum, V. sargentii 'Onondaga') even though these two genera belong to separate botanical families.

A rather compact bush, about 1.3 m (4.3 ft) in all directions, this hydrangea, like all Hydrangea macrophylla, is not strictly an ericaceous plant, but prefers neutral to acidic soils. A semi-shaded to shaded position in a warm climate will suit it well, as well as watering in summer because it does not like drought (of the soil and atmosphere), which can cause its leaves to wither. Care consists of annual pruning in spring, before the new leaves emerge. This bush with its long summer flowering is hardy to -15° C (5° F). Severe frosts can damage the tips of the branches, but they easily regrow after spring pruning. Easy to grow, it can live a very long time. 

'Lanarth White' will brighten up shaded areas of the garden, under large trees or in woodland. It will go perfectly with shade-loving perennials such as Hostas with large leaves, palmate-leaved Rodgersias, or Solomon's Seals with their unique flowering. All these plants with a striking habit will enhance the flowering of our hydrangea. The little-known Sarcococcas with their delicately scented winter flowering will also be good companions, as well as the delicate and romantic bell-shaped flowers of Enkianthus campanulatus.