Share your pictures? Hide split images
I have read and agree the terms and conditions of service.

Hydrangea macrophylla Nachtigall

Hydrangea macrophylla Nachtigall
Bigleaf Hydrangea, French Hydrangea

4,8/5
4 reviews
1 reviews
0 reviews
0 reviews
0 reviews

The young plant was beautiful, much taller than the other hydrangea. It is very green now. We'll see about the flowers.

Francine L., 18/04/2017

Leave a review → View all reviews →

Why not try an alternative variety in stock?

1
From 31,50 € 4L/5L pot
6
From 14,90 € 2L/3L pot
8
From 31,50 € 4L/5L pot
9
From 29,50 € 4L/5L pot

Shipping country:

Schedule delivery date,

and select date in basket

This plant carries a 24 months recovery warranty

More information

Graden Merit Value-for-money
This hydrangea is known for its large, flat flower heads and striking blue colour. When grown in acidic soil, it can turn purplish-violet, while in neutral soil, it will remain a darker pink, almost red. It's a medium pruning variety with sturdy stems and a stocky habit, and it displays beautiful colours in the autumn.
Flower size
18 cm
Height at maturity
1.50 m
Spread at maturity
1.50 m
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -23°C
Soil moisture
Moist soil
plantfit-full

Would this plant suit my garden?

Set up your Plantfit profile →

Best planting time April to May, September to October
Recommended planting time February to April, August to October
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Flowering time July to October
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Description

The Hydrangea macrophylla Natchigall, with large flat flower heads, is undoubtedly one of the bluest. Its flowers can reach a purplish-violet shade in acidic soil, remaining dark pink and almost red in neutral ground. This medium-sized variety forms sturdy stems on a bush with a low habit, taking on beautiful colours in autumn. Its generous flowering lasts all summer. It is perfect for adding colour to the garden and making fresh or dry bouquets. To be grown in shaded beds, in fresh and non-limestone soil.

 

Hydrangea macrophylla Natchigall is one of the many hybrids obtained by cross-breeding the species H. macrophylla and H. aspera, among others. All these hardy plants belong to the Hydrangeaceae family, originating from China and Japan. This bush has a compact habit, as wide as it is tall, 1.50 m (4 ft 11 in) in all directions, at the age of 10 years. From July to October, these small fertile and sterile flowers, with striking dimorphism, form flat flower heads of 15 to 20 cm (5.9 to 7.9 in) in diameter. They are formed of a central bouquet of tiny fertile florets, first green, then white, then bluing up to ultramarine, surrounded by a crown of large sterile florets where intense blue and violet mix. In aluminium-poor soil, it turns shades of pink to red, creating a beautiful effect. The flowers fade into a texture resembling paper, in faded tones that remarkably match the autumn foliage. The flowering is accompanied by medium green, deciduous leaves. The leaves are opposite; they reach a minimum of ten centimetres in length. They are single, ovate to elliptical, ending in a tapered point, saw-toothed. Hydrangeas can live for at least 50 years.

 

The Natchigall Hydrangea has good hardiness and is adorned with a unique and intense shade, remarkable for brightening up the north side of the house. It will be happy in an east or west exposure that is not burning, in beds and hedges. This variety is particularly suited to growing in the open ground, whether to create a backdrop in front of perennial beds, near the terrace or at the entrance of a property. All hydrangeas can be grown in large pots. Even though they are not fond of limestone, they are not strictly ericaceous plants. The colour of the flowers often depends on the soil, leading to beautiful colour battles. Pair them with fuchsia magellanica, annual impatiens, or plant spring-flowering bulbs in front of their round shape. Enjoy their sumptuous and long-lasting flowering in the garden or the house.

Note: The colour of the flowers of the hydrangea macrophylla varies according to the PH of the soil. Traditionally blue varieties turn pink in neutral or alkaline soil. To maintain a beautiful blue colour, mix ericaceous compost with your garden soil and apply aluminium sulphate (slate contains it) or alum stone every year in spring.

Hydrangea macrophylla Nachtigall in pictures

Hydrangea macrophylla Nachtigall (Flowering) Flowering
Hydrangea macrophylla Nachtigall (Foliage) Foliage

Plant habit

Height at maturity 1.50 m
Spread at maturity 1.50 m
Habit Irregular, bushy
Growth rate normal

Flowering

Flower colour violet
Flowering time July to October
Inflorescence Cyme
Flower size 18 cm
Good for cut flowers Cut flower blooms

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour medium green

Botanical data

Genus

Hydrangea

Species

macrophylla

Cultivar

Nachtigall

Family

Hydrangeaceae

Other common names

Bigleaf Hydrangea, French Hydrangea

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference99552021

Other Hydrangea Macrophylla

1
From 14,90 € 2L/3L pot
Out of stock
From 12,50 € 3L/4L pot
2
From 24,50 € 4L/5L pot
8
From 12,50 € 2L/3L pot
Out of stock
From 27,50 € 3L/4L pot
3
12,90 € 2L/3L pot
Available to order
From 14,90 € 2L/3L pot
15
From 16,50 € 3L/4L pot

Available in 2 sizes

1
From 14,90 € 2L/3L pot
29
From 14,90 € 1.5L/2L pot

Available in 2 sizes

Planting and care

When planting the hydrangea macrophylla 'Nachtigall' choose a slightly shaded spot in spring or early autumn, such as against an east-facing or northern wall. Keep it away from cold winds and the sun. It prefers deep, fresh, well-drained, and relatively fertile soil, but ericaceous soil is unnecessary. You can enrich the soil with a good base fertiliser before planting. If the soil is dry at the foot of the wall, plant the root ball at least 30-40 cm (11.8-15.7 in) away from the base and add well-rotted compost to improve soil freshness. This plant is resilient and can be planted in cold areas. When pruning, remove the faded flowers on the first or second bud. To encourage the formation of young shoots, cut back a quarter or a third of the oldest stems to the base when the plant matures. Prune every year in March or April.

Planting period

Best planting time April to May, September to October
Recommended planting time February to April, August to October

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Woodland edge
Type of use Border, Free-standing, Container, Hedge
Hardiness Hardy down to -23°C (USDA zone 6a) Show map
Ease of cultivation Beginner
Planting density 1 per m2
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Acidic, Neutral
Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light)
Soil moisture Moist soil, well-drained, rich

Care

Pruning instructions Remove any wilted flowers on the first bud or pair of buds located directly below to keep your plant healthy. When the plant is mature, cut back a quarter or a third of the oldest stems to promote the formation of young shoots. It's recommended to carry out this pruning every year during March and April.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time March to April
Soil moisture Moist soil
Disease resistance Very good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground
4,8/5
No reviews
No reviews
No reviews

Summer-flowering shrubs

45
From 6,90 € 8/9 cm pot

Available in 3 sizes

65
From 2,70 € 8/9 cm pot

Available in 3 sizes

140
From 5,90 € 8/9 cm pot

Available in 4 sizes

1
55,00 € 4L/5L pot
16
From 9,90 € 12cm pot
3
20% 44,00 € 55,00 € 7.5L/10L pot

Available in 2 sizes

3
17,50 € 3L/4L pot
199
From 3,30 € 8/9 cm pot

Available in 5 sizes

2
From 14,90 € 2L/3L pot
40
From 6,90 € 8/9 cm pot

Haven't found what you were looking for?

We only deliver seed and bulb products to your country. If you add other products to your basket, they cannot be shipped.