Hydrangea serrata Impératrice Eugénie - Mountain Hydrangea

Hydrangea serrata 'Impératrice Eugénie' (Collection 1900) is an old variety of hydrangea still appreciated for its hardiness, its long summer flowering, and its beautiful autumn colours. Its almost globular inflorescences gradually change from white to pastel pink and then to burgundy over time, creating a charming gradient on the scale of the plant. The flowers that have turned red form a beautiful association with the foliage which is tinged with bronze to red at the end of the season.

Hydrangea serrata 'Impératrice Eugénie' belongs to the Hydrangeaceae family, native to the mountains of the Kuril Islands to Taiwan and from southern China to eastern Japan. It is a hardy plant that thrives in mountainous climates. The plant forms a beautiful bushy shrub, which will reach about 1.25 to 1.35m (4 to 5ft) in height with a spread of 1.35m (5ft) by the age of 10 years. Its stems bear large dark green dentate leaves which take on beautiful hues in autumn. The colour is variable depending on exposure and soil nature. The abundant flowering begins in June and renews until September. The heavily domed inflorescences are composed of many sterile flowers with 4 petals. Initially almost cream-white, they become pure white and then gradually blush light pink, before turning dark red. The colour of the flowers is barely influenced by the acidity of the soil or its richness in aluminium sulphate. 

Hardy up to -15°C (14°F), it will flourish in moist but well-drained, acidic or neutral, humus-rich soil. Give it a location in partial shade or in the morning sun, for example against a wall facing north or northeast. This bush works well in beds, in a low hedge, as a standalone, or in a pot. Combine it with other ericaceous plants such as rhododendrons, azaleas, pieris, and kalmia. Paulownia is very beneficial to hydrangeas, as its turgid roots feed those of the bushes installed in the understorey.