Hydrangea paniculata Bloody Marie

Hydrangea paniculata Bloody Marie is a variety of paniculate hydrangea that is interesting for its bushy habit and its flowering, which is as abundant as it is colourful. The shrub, if pruned each spring, disappears under an abundance of conical panicles which gradually change from a beautiful creamy white to pastel-pink in summer, taking on increasingly intense red tones before wilting. Equipped with sturdy stems, this hydrangea maintains a clean appearance even when laden with flowers. Superb in the garden, it also adapts to cultivation in containers, in both sun and semi-shade.

Hydrangea Bloody Marie belongs to the Hydrangeaceae family, and its multitude of hydrangeas in varied colours and forms. Paniculate hydrangeas originate from the Far East, from Japan to southern China. A distinctive characteristic of theirs is to produce, in summer, large conical inflorescences (panicles) on stiff or arched branches, often shaded with purple. In wild varieties, both fertile white flowers (tiny and lacking petals) and sterile flowers (with large, visible petals) coexist. In horticultural varieties, it is most often the sterile flowers that are developed and bring a welcome generosity. These hydrangeas tolerate the sun quite well, provided it is not scorching. They are satisfied with good garden soil that is well drained but not too acidic, limey or dry. Unlike Hydrangea macrophylla, H. paniculata flowers on the current year's wood, which means that they can be pruned even in spring, without compromising the year's flowering.

'Bloody Marie' quickly forms a ramified bush which will average 1.35 m (4 ft 5 in) high and about 80 cm (31.5 in) wide in the ground. Cultivated in a pot, it will be less imposing. Flowering starts between June and early July. At the ends of the stems bloom large elongated cones, measuring 20 to 25 cm (7.9 to 9.8 in) wide. When in bloom, the flowers are almost white. As flowering progresses, the pink colour sets in, followed by red tones. The panicles then wilt gradually, like paper, remaining beautiful until autumn - or even later if the weather is mild. In mid-autumn, the leaves turn yellow before falling.

Since it is not very bulky, the Bloody Marie hydrangea can be placed anywhere, even in small gardens where it will make a beautiful specimen to be placed in isolation. In larger areas, it can be planted en masse for a spectacular effect. It will also be perfect in a large container on a terrace or a large balcony, provided you remember to water it from time to time. In the garden, you can combine it with other varieties such as Great Star Le Vasterival, which is taller with large sterile flowers, or Bobo (a dwarf variety). Other small shrubs will accompany it nicely, such as Abelia 'Pastel Charm', Berberis 'Rosy Glow', Daphne 'Pink Fragrance' or Cotinus 'Lilla'.