Hydrangea macrophylla Tinkerbell

The Hydrangea macrophylla 'Tinkerbell' is a hydrangea as original as it is charming, whose large flattened flower heads are adorned with triple, bicolour and beautifully star-shaped florets surrounding a central short stem of pretty rounded floral buds. Fresh pink and purple in neutral soil, the flower heads become mauve, even blue and purplish, when planted in acidic soil. It is a hydrangea of modest size, which looks stunning in the cool and somewhat shaded parts of the garden or in a large pot on the terrace. It also provides excellent cut flowers for fresh or dry bouquets.

The Hydrangea macrophylla 'Tinkerbell' is one of the many hybrids obtained from H. macrophylla and H. serrata, among others. The Hydrangeae family is native to China and Japan. This recent Japanese variety is characterised by a very unusual flowering: the large sterile florets on the edge of the flower heads, double to triple, produce secondary flowers when they reach maturity, extending the appeal of the flowering until autumn. Somewhat flattened initially, the flower heads round off as it blossoms. The sterile florets gradually change to green as new ones form. They are bicolour, spotted with white on a pink, mauve or blue background, depending on the soil's acidity. The fertile florets in the centre, for their part, look like small buttons. This hydrangea generally flowers from early July, on the shoots of the year. It is therefore less sensitive to late frosts, but precautions should still be taken. This bush is a little taller than wide, reaching about 1.30 m in height for 1.10 m (3 ft 7 in) in width at maturity with relatively rapid growth. The flowering is accompanied by lush, bright green, deciduous foliage, which falls in autumn. Hydrangeas can live at least 50 years.

The 'Tinkerbell' Hydrangea is a magnificent shade variety, relatively hardy. Hydrangeas are well known for brightening up the north side of houses; this variety is ideal for catching the morning sun in an east or north-facing border or hedge and is suitable for cultivation in the ground or in large containers on the terrace or near the entrance of a property. Although not fond of limestone, hydrangeas are not strictly ericaceous plants; they like all non-limestone but rich soils. Pair them with magellanica fuchsias, annual impatiens, ferns, or plant spring-flowering bulbs in front of their round silhouette. Enjoy their sumptuous and long-lasting flowering in the garden or the house in fresh or dry bouquets.

Hydrangea macrophylla flowers come in different colours based on the soil pH level they are planted in. Blue flowers turn pink in neutral or alkaline soil. Add aluminium sulphate (found in slate) or alum stone to the soil every spring to keep the blue colour. You can also mix ericaceous compost with garden soil. This will help to maintain the blue colour.