Hydrangea macrophylla x serrata After Midnight - Mophead Hydrangea

The Hydrangea macrophylla x serrata After Midnight is an intense variety, with its black-purple foliage that retains its colour throughout the season, providing a remarkable backdrop for its ever-changing flowers in a rich and deep red. At the beginning of the flowering period in July, the flowers are flat, in a "lacecap" form, and then gradually round out into bulging domes. Similarly, they transition from pink to deep red. This recent variety has a fairly compact and nicely rounded habit, and a generous summer flowering. Plant it in the garden or in a large pot on the terrace, in non-scorching sun or partial shade, in a rich, moist, and lime-free soil. In very acidic soils, the flowers tend to be bluish-violet.

The Hydrangea After Midnight, known by its cultivar name 'Jong 02', was developed in the Netherlands by hydrangea specialists Peter Kolster from Kolster BV and Kees Eveleens from Horteve Breeding. This variety requires little maintenance and can withstand temperatures as low as -20°C. Like all hydrangeas, this deciduous shrub belongs to the Hydrangeaceae family.

This After Midnight hydrangea has a rounded and branched habit, as wide as it is tall, reaching approximately 1.20m in all directions. Its leaves have a remarkable colour throughout the growing season, ranging from purple to dark blackish-purple. They are arranged opposite on the branches, ovate with a pointed tip, and have toothed edges and prominent veins. This variety blooms from July onwards, earlier or later depending on the climate. Its inflorescences, initially flat and then hemispherical, are composed of numerous decorative sterile florets. Their colour varies from dark pink to rich red, depending on the maturity of the flowers. This flowering contrasts beautifully with the foliage. Hydrangeas can live for at least 50 years.

The After Midnight Hydrangea captivates with the richness and brilliance of its colours. It is the first hydrangea with rounded flowers to have such dark foliage that does not turn green in summer. The most similar variety is 'Merveille Sanguine', introduced in 1939, which has purplish-green foliage but without the black tones. It pairs particularly well with blue-flowered varieties like 'Teller Blue', as the colours complement each other. Hydrangeas are well-known for brightening the north side of houses. This variety thrives in a non-scorching east or west exposure, in borders as well as hedges. It is well-suited for container cultivation, where it can be placed on the terrace in a beautiful pot or near the entrance. Pair it with Fuchsia magellanica, annual Impatiens, and foxgloves. Alternatively, plant spring-flowering bulbs in front of their rounded silhouette. Enjoy their sumptuous flowering in the garden or indoors for a long time.