Hydrangea macrophylla Ankong

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Ankong' boasts a delightfully romantic flowering. Its large round inflorescences take on tender shades: blue in acidic soil, or pink in neutral soil. It forms a compact bush, of medium size and beautiful habit, with large stems that support the inflorescences well. It is perfect for creating pretty bouquets of dried flowers. Very hardy, it should be placed in a semi-shaded situation, in non-limestone soil. It is easy to grow, only requiring annual pruning in spring and watering in summer to keep the soil moist. 

Hydrangea macrophylla is a deciduous bush originating from Japan, where its beauty has been appreciated for centuries and mentioned in poems dating back to the 8th century! Festivals are even dedicated to this bush. It is found in the wild on the island of Honshu (which hosts the capital Tokyo), and it was introduced in Europe around 1789.

'Ankong' is a variety with medium development, reaching 1.2 to 1.5m (4 to 5ft) in all directions. Very compact, it forms a beautiful regular tuft. It bears green foliage, with a dentate edge. Its inflorescences appear in July and last until October. Its regular round heads are made up of flowers with 4 sepals, of a colour that varies according to the acidity of the soil. If the soil is acidic, the inflorescences will take on a soft blue shade, or even slightly purplish depending on the pH. In neutral or slightly alkaline soil, they will be a tender pink to fresh pink, giving the bush a romantic charm.

Like all Hydrangea macrophylla, it is not strictly an ericaceous soil plant. It prefers neutral to acidic soils, rich in humus. It is very hardy (-17°C (1.4°F)). However, severe frosts can damage the ends of the branches, but they will easily regrow after pruning in spring. Easy to grow, it can live a very long time. 

'Ankong' is ideal for container cultivation, on a balcony or a terrace sheltered from the afternoon sun. A thick terracotta pot will be well suited. If using a plastic container, choose a "double skin" type, with two walls separated by an air gap, providing insulation and preventing excessive heating of the soil and roots in summer, and limiting the effects of freezing in winter. Use ericaceous compost with a bit of compost added. Water regularly during hot periods.

Planted in the garden, this small hydrangea will work well with other bushes of a romantic aspect. Daphne 'Spring Beauty', with its small fragrant flowers blooming early in the season, or Ceanothus pallidus 'Marie Rose', with its misty pale pink flowering, will be ideal companions for 'Ankong'. On the perennial side, choose Common Lady's Mantle, with its glaucous green leaves, or Astilbe 'Washington', with its graceful white flowers.

Note: The colour of macrophylla hydrangea flowers varies depending on soil pH. Traditionally blue varieties turn pink in neutral or slightly alkaline soil. To maintain a beautiful blue colour, mix ericaceous soil into your garden soil and apply aluminium sulphate (found in slate) or alum stone every spring.