Hydrangea serrata Graciosa - Mountain Hydrangea

Hydrangea serrata 'Graciosa' is a variety of hydrangea with flat heads of high ornamental value. It displays abundant and early flowering that changes colour through the season and beautiful autumn colours. Depending on the nature of the soil, its lace-cap inflorescences are initially tinged with tender pink or pale mauve blue before gradually turn to purplish pink or violet. With moderate development, wider than tall, this bush is suitable for gardens of all sizes and adapts to container cultivation. A kaleidoscope of colours!

Awarded at the Courson plant days in spring 1999, Hydrangea serrata 'Graciosa' is a small bush that measures about 1m (3ft) high with a spread of 1.2m (4ft) at maturity. Its shape is bushy and quite wide. Its foliage is composed of tapered leaves, veined with red on a coppery green background. In autumn, before falling, they turn orange, sometimes purple if the bush gets a little sun. The flowering begins around mid-June, depending on the climate, and continues until September, on the current year's wood. The flowers gather on a short stem, carried by mahogany-coloured peduncles. Small tightly packed fertile flowers with protruding stamens gather in the centre, surrounded by a crown of larger sterile flowers. The colour of the flowers varies depending on the nature of the soil and the presence of aluminium sulphate. They are born green, become cream, then gradually take on pink or bluish tones depending on the soil. At the end of the season, the faded flowers take on crimson tones.

Hydrangea serrata is native to the mountains from the Kuril Islands to Taiwan and from southern China to eastern Japan. It thrives in mountainous climates. Hardy up to -15°C (5°F), Hydrangea serrata 'Graciosa' will give its best in partial shade or morning sun. It is perfect for a shrub border, as a standalone, or in a large container. Consider hydrangeas for composing spectacular flowering hedges. Combine them with other plants from non-limestone humiferous soil: pieris, azaleas, camellias, rhododendrons, and hardy fuchsias. Paulownia tomentosa is an ideal companion as its turgid roots feed those of other bushes planted in the understorey.