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Hydrangea macrophylla Tricolor

Hydrangea macrophylla Tricolor
Bigleaf Hydrangea, French Hydrangea

4,9/5
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The plant has recovered well and is growing nicely.

Anne Lise, 07/02/2023

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This plant carries a 24 months recovery warranty

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Value-for-money
Of extreme delicacy, this beautiful Hydrangea unfolds a tricoloured foliage. At the end of July, its beautiful flat, irregular and light inflorescences appear, white-pink or very pale blue in acidic soil. Vigorous variety, comfortable in hedges and shrub beds, to illuminate an understorey or a dark corner in the garden. It thrives in partial shade, or even in sunny exposure. It blooms until autumn. Essential.
Flower size
18 cm
Height at maturity
1.50 m
Spread at maturity
1.20 m
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -23°C
Soil moisture
Moist soil
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Best planting time March to April, September to October
Recommended planting time February to April, August to October
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Flowering time August to November
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Description

Of extreme delicacy, Hydrangea macrophylla 'Tricolor' is a variety of Hydrangea with foliage variegated with bright green, cream, and yellow. At the end of July, its beautiful flat, irregular, and light inflorescences appear, first pale pink or very pale blue in acidic soil, turning pale mauve with age. It is a vigorous bush, comfortable in hedges and flower beds, to brighten up an understorey or a dark corner in the garden. It will thrive in partial shade or even in a sunny exposure. This variety blooms until autumn.

 

 

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Tricolor', initially named 'Variegata', is an old creation, obtained in 1843, which has a unique and endearing personality. It comes from H. macrophylla and H. aspera, among others. The Hydrangea family is native to China and Japan. 'Tricolor' is part of a series of "Lacecap" cultivars selected for their flat cymose inflorescences. This bush has a rather round and regular habit. It reaches a height of approximately 1.50m with a spread of 1.20m (4ft). From late July to October-November , its small fertile and sterile flowers, with striking dimorphism, form irregular and very natural-looking spherical inflorescences 18 to 22cm in diameter. They are composed of a sparsely arranged row of sterile florets, blue or pale pink depending on the soil acidity, surrounding a beautiful central bouquet of darker fertile florets. The flowering spreads over magnificent foliage, wavy, irregularly variegated with green, cream, and yellow. The variegation will be more pronounced in very poor soil. The leaves are opposite, reaching at least fifteen centimetres in length. They are simple, ovate to elliptical, ending in a tapered point, almost entire. Hydrangeas can live for at least 50 years.

 

The 'Tricolor' Hydrangea is a refined plant but with a very natural appearance. Hydrangeas are well known for brightening up the north side of houses. This one will even thrive in the sun, in a non-burning exposure, in flower beds as well as hedges. It can easily be associated with other flowering shrubs, such as deciduous azaleas, mountain laurels, small magnolias, or rhododendrons in acidic soil. Although Hydrangeas fear limestone, they are not strictly speaking ericaceous plants. Also, mix them with Magellan fuchsias, annual impatiens, or plant spring-flowering bulbs in front of their round silhouette. Enjoy their sumptuous flowering in the garden or in the house for a long time.

Hydrangea macrophylla Tricolor in pictures

Hydrangea macrophylla Tricolor (Foliage) Foliage

Plant habit

Height at maturity 1.50 m
Spread at maturity 1.20 m
Habit Irregular, bushy
Growth rate normal

Flowering

Flower colour white
Flowering time August to November
Inflorescence Cyme
Flower size 18 cm
Good for cut flowers Cut flower blooms
Flowering description Cymose

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour variegated
Foliage description Deciduous

Botanical data

Genus

Hydrangea

Species

macrophylla

Cultivar

Tricolor

Family

Hydrangeaceae

Other common names

Bigleaf Hydrangea, French Hydrangea

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference6710061

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Planting and care

Plant Hydrangea macrophylla 'Tricolor' in spring or early autumn, preferably in a semi-shaded or non-burning sun position, for example against an east-facing wall or even north-facing. In very cold regions, it may be prudent to protect it with a winter cover, especially since the flowering can be damaged by late frosts. Near a wall, it will be sheltered from cold and drying winds. It does not necessarily require heather soil, but appreciates a deep, moist, well-drained, fairly fertile soil, possibly enriched with a good base fertilizer before planting. If the soil is dry at the base of the wall, plant the root ball at least 30-40cm (11.8 - 15.7in) away from the base of the wall and incorporate a quantity of well-decomposed compost to better retain moisture in the soil.

Planting period

Best planting time March to April, September to October
Recommended planting time February to April, August to October

Intended location

Suitable for Woodland edge, Undergrowth
Type of use Border, Back of border, Free-standing, Hedge
Hardiness Hardy down to -23°C (USDA zone 6a) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Acidic, Neutral
Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light)
Soil moisture Moist soil, Deep, well-drained, fertile

Care

Pruning instructions Remove the faded flowers on the first bud or on the pair of buds directly below. Prune back to the base by a quarter or a third the older stems, when the plant is mature, to encourage the growth of young shoots. Carry out this pruning every year during the months of March and April.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time March to April
Soil moisture Moist soil
Disease resistance Very good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground
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