Hydrangea macrophylla Stellar Bleu

The Hydrangea macrophylla Stellar Blue is a variety of Hydrangea with original and charming flowering. The large inflorescences are composed of dozens of triple florets, blue and white in colour at the tip. In non-acidic soil, the colour of the flowers will be more pink. The visual effect is incredibly romantic and will allow for very beautiful compositions in the garden. Of medium size, this Hydrangea will form a more or less spherical bush and can be grown in a container to decorate a terrace. Hardy, it is best placed in a shady position, in neutral to acidic soil.

The 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 this country that attaches great importance to plants, festivals are even dedicated to this bush. This Hydrangea is a variety obtained by Japanese breeder Toyokazu Ichie, who has more than a dozen hybrids to his credit since 2010. The full name of this bush with the plant breeders' rights (PBR) certificate also reveals its origin: Hydrangea macrophylla STELLAR (R) BLUE 'Kamosere Gokigenyo' PBR.
The main attraction of this variety lies in the dome-shaped inflorescences, 20 cm (7.9 in) or more in diameter, which display a beautiful blue colour in acidic soil. In slightly alkaline soil, they turn pink, which is typical for this species. The uniqueness of Stellar Blue lies in the triple florets, composed of small increasing size stars, imbricated, with whitish tips during development. The overall effect is quite charming. This flowering has the added benefit of being perpetual, so the bush displays flowers throughout the summer, from July to September. Afterwards, dried bouquets can be enjoyed indoors for a few more weeks. A medium-sized bush, about 1.20 to 1.50 m (3 ft 11 in to 4 ft 11 in) in all directions, this Hydrangea, like all H. macrophylla, is not strictly a ericaceous plant, but prefers neutral to acidic soils rich in humus. These types of soils will ensure the best blue colouration of the flowers. It is very hardy (-20°C or colder, although severe frosts 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 Stellar Blue Hydrangea, a classic in romantic flower beds, is a generous plant that will make a big impact in open ground as well as in containers on a terrace or balcony. To maintain a poetic atmosphere, pair it with plants such as the 'Belle Etoile' Mock Orange with its simple white flowers, the touching 'Versicolor' Autumn Camellia whose flowering from October to December follows that of Stellar Blue, or even the 'Waterlily' Star Magnolia with its graceful double flowers of pure white that herald the beginning of spring.

Note: The colour of the flowers of Hydrangea macrophylla varies depending on the soil pH. Traditionally blue varieties turn pink in neutral or alkaline soil. To maintain a beautiful blue colour, mix heath soil or blonde peat into your garden soil and apply aluminum sulfate (slate contains it) or alum every spring.