Hydrangea macrophylla Rahic

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Rahic' is a truly irresistible variety with early and perpetual flowering in September. Its white ball-shaped flowers can take on a pink or blue hue and speckle depending on the nature of the soil. It is a rounded, generous, ornamental bush from late spring to autumn. This hydrangea deserves to be showcased in a carefully chosen large pot or at the front of a shaded bed to enjoy it for long weeks. Plant it in a rich, humus-bearing soil that remains slightly moist.

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Rahic' is a horticultural creation by Pierre-Michel Kerneur dating back to 1990. This cultivar comes from, among others, the species H. macrophylla, the hydrangea with large leaves. Hydrangeas belong to the hydrangea family and are native to China and Japan. 'Rahic' is a fairly fast-growing bush that has a dense and rounded habit as well as harmonious growth. It reaches an average size of 1.30 m in all directions when fully mature, in open ground. The bush blooms in June-July, and again in September. Its inflorescences are spherical, compact, of medium size (12-14 cm). They are composed of numerous simple sterile florets with 4 petals. They open in a pale green shade and then turn white. In neutral soil, the flowers sometimes turn a very pale pink, while in acidic soil, they take on a slight blue tinge. This flowering takes on beautiful pastel shades as it fades. It spreads over dark green, deciduous foliage that falls in autumn. The wide and opposite leaves reach a minimum length of about ten centimetres. They are ovate, ending in a tapered point, with coarsely toothed edges. Hydrangeas can live for at least 50 years.

The 'Rahic' Hydrangea is a variety that will be highlighted in the garden or on the terrace. In a shrub bed, it will pair well with a double pink variety ('You and Me Romance') or a blue variety ('Bodensee') for example. Hydrangea macrophylla is well known for brightening the north side of houses. This one will thrive in a non-scorching east or west exposure, in full sun or partial shade, in beds as well as in isolation. This 'Rahic' variety will be splendid in a large jar or a wide vase that can be placed on the balcony or near the entrance. Although hydrangeas are sensitive to limestone, they are not strictly speaking ericaceous plants. Pair them with Fuchsia magellanica, annual impatiens, or plant spring bulbs in front of their round silhouette. Enjoy their splendid flowering in the garden or the house for a long time.