Hydrangea macrophylla Zorro

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Zorro' pink is a vigorous hydrangea, with an erect habit. It is a unique variety with decorative black wood even in winter. This plant is none other than 'Zorro' blue in its natural state, that is to say grown without the addition of aluminium sulphate, or grown in neutral garden soil. Its large, light, flat inflorescences are a pretty fresh pink, set on large rounded leaves. It is perfect at the back of a shaded border or against an east-facing wall, in ordinary soil that is not too chalky.

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Zorro' is a Dutch creation from 2001, but already a star. It is a mutation of Hydrangea 'Blaumeise'. All these hardy plants belong to the Hydrangeaceae family, originating from China and Japan. 'Zorro' forms a large bush with a spreading habit. It will reach a height of 1.8m (6ft). Its branches are of a surprising black colour. From August to October, round inflorescences with flat heads, 18 to 20cm (7 to 8in) wide, appear in large numbers, on wood at least one year old. The inflorescences are flat corymbs composed of fertile flowers in the centre, similar to small buttons, and larger and more showy flowers on the periphery. In neutral soil, the flowers will have a fresh pink hue, quite common in hydrangeas. The flowering is spread over ample and shiny foliage, which is rounded, light green, dentate, and deciduous. The leaves are opposite, and reach a minimum of 20cm (8in) in length. They are single, ovate to elliptical, ending in a pointed tip, and coarsely serrated. Hydrangeas can live at least 50 years.

'Zorro' is a spectacular and unique plant, of beautiful vigour, just as beautiful in blue in acidic soil rich in alumina as in pink. Hydrangeas are well known for brightening up the north side of houses. This one will be happy in an east or west exposure that is not too hot, in group plantings as well as in hedges. This variety is particularly suited to growing in an informal hedge, or as a single plant near a doorway. Hydrangeas are not strictly speaking ericaceous plants. Combine them with ferns, Japanese anemones, foxgloves, or 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 very long time.

Advice: Don't prune too early! Leave the dried inflorescences on the plant to protect the new vegetation and future flowers. Remove the faded flowers when all risk of frost has gone.