Hydrangea macrophylla Red Baron

The Hydrangea or Hydrangea macrophylla 'Baron Rouge', also known as the 'Red Baron', is a compact variety with a well-branched habit, suitable for planting in small gardens and growing in containers. From July to October, it produces large bright pink flowers when they first bloom, gradually turning to a deeper red as the summer progresses. This abundant flowering, enhanced by the green background of the foliage, offers a magnificent spectacle during a season when the garden is at its best. This Hydrangea is very hardy and should be planted in semi-shaded conditions, in neutral to acidic soil. It is easy to grow, requiring only annual pruning in spring and regular watering in summer to keep the soil moist.

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 places great importance on plants, festivals are even dedicated to this bush. It can be found growing naturally on the island of Honshu (home to the capital Tokyo) and was introduced to Europe around 1789.

This 'Baron Rouge' Hydrangea is a German variety, bred by VEG Zierpflanzen (Erfurt, Thuringia) in the 1970s and named 'Schöne Bautznerin' in Germany. It stands out for its unique flowering, which changes colour throughout the season. The large round flower heads, about fifteen centimetres in diameter, appear in July and start off a beautiful dark pink. Gradually, during the summer, they become darker and darker red, creating a magnificent contrast with the green foliage. Its compact habit and dense branching make it one of the most beautiful summer-flowering shrubs, with an exceptionally long bloom period. This small Hydrangea naturally forms a ball shape, measuring about 1.20 metres (3 feet 11 inches) in all directions, and can be grown in containers. This gem can therefore enhance a shaded terrace.

This Hydrangea is not strictly a plant for acidic soils, but it prefers neutral to acidic soils like all H. macrophylla. A semi-shaded position suits it well, as well as regular watering in summer because it does not like drought (both in the soil and in the air), which can cause its leaves to wilt. Care consists of annual pruning in spring, before new leaves emerge. This long-flowering shrub is very hardy (-20°C (-4 °F) or lower, although severe frost can damage the tips of the branches, they easily regenerate after pruning in spring). Easy to grow, it can live for a very long time.

The Red Baron Hydrangea, a classic plant for flower beds, is a generous plant that will have a great impact in the garden when combined with other flowering shrubs that prefer non-chalky soils. Choose plants with staggered flowering throughout the year to complement the flowering of this Hydrangea. From the beginning of the year, the Hamamelis vernalis Amethyst will brighten up the short days of February and March with its graceful deep purple spider-like flowers. In spring, nothing beats a beautiful romantic variety of Camellia like 'Tom Pouce' with its flesh-pink flowers edged with white from February to April, followed in May-June by a Kalmia, or mountain laurel, among the many available varieties. And to end the year beautifully, a Camellia sasanqua with its fully open petals and bright yellow stamens will be perfect.