Hydrangea serrata Vicomte de Kerlot - Mountain Hydrangea

Hydrangea serrata 'Vicomte de Kerlot', selected in Brittany by Pierre-Michel Kerneur in 1990, stands out for its vigour and its spectacular, flat inflorescences as delightful as they are spectacular. The bush, which exceeds a man's height, is adorned all summer with flowers in a shade of pink leaning towards mauve, speckled with white, gathered in large short stems. It prefers moist non-limestone soils, and a semi-shaded to gently sunny exposure. Of beautiful stature, but moderately hardy, it settles in a bed or in a flowering hedge in regions with mild winters.

Hydrangea 'Vicomte de Kerlot' descends from Hydrangea serrata. It belongs to the large Hydrangeaceae family, native to Japan and Korea. This selection forms a well-ramified bush, with an erect habit, which will reach 2m (7ft) in height and 1.5m (5ft) wide, depending on growing conditions. Flowering takes place from June to September. It takes the form of numerous flat inflorescences, composed of small vaporous fertile flowers, mauve pink in neutral soil or blue-mauve in acidic soil, mixed with larger sterile florets in the same colour palette but lighter. The flowers are prettily marked with white towards the centre. This hydrangea is deciduous. The cold resistance of this variety is evaluated at -10°C (14°F) over a short period. The dark green foliage is strongly veined, and dentate along the edges. Hydrangeas are robust plants that can live at least 50 years.

Particularly appreciating moist soils and a semi-shaded exposure, 'Vicomte de Kerlot' is perfect in regions with mild winters. Hydrangeas are well known for brightening up the north side of houses, and this one will be happy in an east or west exposure that is not scorching, in flower beds as well as in hedges. Hydrangeas are not strictly ericaceous plants; they appreciate light soils rich in organic matter and humus. Pair them with large rhododendrons, camellias, azaleas, magellanica fuchsias, or annual impatiens, or plant spring-flowering bulbs in front of their round silhouette. Enjoy their sumptuous flowering in the garden but also in the house for a long time.