Hydrangea macrophylla Renate Steiniger

The Hydrangea macrophylla 'Renate Steiniger' is the most beautiful blue hydrangea. This rather old, floriferous, hardy and vigorous variety has proven itself in the garden as in flower pots. This rather broad bush forms large flower heads in the shape of tight balls, of an intense and sustained blue in acidic soil, more pink in the presence of limestone. They repeat flower throughout the summer and are nicely tinged with green and purple at maturity. The foliage also takes on pretty hues in autumn. This variety is a safe bet, easy to grow and equipped with solid stems that give it good stability in the garden.

The Hydrangea macrophylla 'Renate Steiniger', obtained in Germany in 1964, is one of the many hybrids resulting from cross-breeding hardy species belonging to the hydrangea family, native to China and Japan. This bush shows a rounded habit, as wide as it is high, about 1.40 m (4 ft 7 in) in all directions at maturity. From July to September, its small sterile flowers form round flower heads in summer, which can reach 17 cm (6.7 in) in diameter. They are deep and intense blue with a small white centre, becoming purplish washed with green, and spotted with soft blue at the end of flowering. In neutral soil, the flowers display a purple tone mixed with blue. They are carried by robust stems aged one year or more. The flowering is accompanied by a small bright green foliage, resistant, taking on carmine purple hues in autumn before falling. The leaves are opposite; they reach about ten centimetres in length. They are single, ovate to elliptical, ending in a pointed tip, strongly serrated. Hydrangeas can live at least 50 years.

The 'Renate Steiniger' Hydrangea is one of the best blue varieties, with a very intense and pure colour in acidic soil or aluminium. It has excellent hardiness and excellent flowering. Hydrangeas are well known for brightening up the north side of houses. This variety will be happy in an east or west exposure that is not scorching in borders and hedges. This variety is suitable for growing in the ground or containers, which can be placed on the terrace or near the entrance of a property. Even if these plants are not fond of limestone, they are not strictly ericaceous plants. Pair them with magellanica fuchsias, annual impatiens, or plant spring-flowering bulbs in front of their round silhouette. Enjoy their sumptuous flowering and long-lasting flowers in the garden or the house.

Please note that the colour of the flowers of macrophylla hydrangeas varies depending on the soil's pH level. Blue varieties usually turn pink in neutral or alkaline soil. To maintain a vibrant blue colour, mix ericaceous compost with your garden soil and add it every year in the spring along with aluminium sulphate or alum stone. These substances can be found in slate.