Hydrangea macrophylla Miraï

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Miraï' is a unique and floriferous bush, with decorative foliage and astonishing bi-coloured flowering, with exceptional vivacity. Throughout the summer, this bushy shrub is covered with an abundance of pretty white flower balls bordered with a red edge. Another asset of this variety is its young red foliage that turns bronze green, sometimes purple, during the season. An excellent plant for partial shade and cool, non-calcareous soil. 'Miraï' lacks hardiness. In cooler climates, this relatively compact bush can be grown in a container to protect it from severe frost.

'Miraï' is a Japanese creation dating back to 1990. It is a descendant of hydrangeas belonging to the Hydrangeaceae family, originally from China and Japan. This compact and bushy shrub is often wider than it is tall at the time of flowering, which weighs down and bends its branches. It reaches a height of approximately 1.2 m (3.9 ft) in all directions at maturity. In spring, young leaves tinged with red develop on its stems, becoming greener throughout the season. Throughout the summer, from July to September, its inflorescences bloom in 15 cm (5.9 in) diameter balls, often 7 per branch. They are composed of sterile flowers with 4 bi-coloured petals, which are white edged with deep pink, and arranged in a spiral. They are carried by one-year-old or older stems. The flowering, which becomes uniform in a purplish tone over time, is set against a beautiful bronze green foliage, which is sometimes purple. The foliage is rather elongated, and it slightly reddens at the end of the season. The leaves are opposite, reaching a length of about 10 cm (3.9 in). They are simple, ovate, end in a pointed tip, and are strongly serrated. Hydrangeas can live for at least 50 years.

'Miraï' looks wonderful in hedges or in isolated groups, as long as its truly fantastic flowering can be seen in partial shade. It is also a good plant for flower beds in warmer regions and it will make a sensation in a large pot on a balcony, terrace, or next to the house. Hydrangeas are well known for brightening up the north side of houses. This one will thrive in a non-burning east or west exposure. Even though hydrangeas fear lime, they are not strictly ericaceous soil plants. Pair them with Magellan fuchsias, Begonia grandis evansiana, Pieris, Sarcococca, Bearded irises, or plant spring-flowering bulbs in front of their round silhouette. Enjoy their magnificent flowering in the garden or indoors, in a vase.