Hydrangea macrophylla Ankong
Hydrangea macrophylla Ankong
Hydrangea macrophylla Ankong
Hydrangea macrophylla Ankong
Hydrangea macrophylla Ankong
Bigleaf Hydrangea, French Hydrangea, Mophead Hydrangea
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This plant carries a 24 months recovery warranty
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We guarantee the quality of our plants for a full growing cycle, and will replace at our expense any plant that fails to recover under normal climatic and planting conditions.
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Description
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.
Hydrangea macrophylla Ankong in pictures
Plant habit
Flowering
Foliage
Botanical data
Hydrangea
macrophylla
Ankong
Hydrangeaceae
Bigleaf Hydrangea, French Hydrangea, Mophead Hydrangea
Cultivar or hybrid
Planting and care
Plant in spring or early autumn, preferably in a semi-shaded position, for example against an east-facing, or even north-facing wall. In very cold regions, it may be prudent to protect its stump with a thick mulch. Protect it from cold, drying winds. It does not require acidic soil, but appreciates deep, moist but well-drained, fairly fertile soil, possibly enriched with a good base fertiliser before planting. If planting near a wall and the soil is dry at its base, place the root ball at least 30 to 40cm (12 to 16in) away from it and incorporate a quantity of well-decomposed compost to better retain moisture in the soil.
After planting, be careful of slugs, which are quite fond of young leaves. Hardy, it is not afraid to be planted in cold regions. Water regularly in hot weather to prevent the foliage from wilting during dry spells.
This variety of hydrangea is also particularly suitable for cultivation in pots or decorative containers due to its compact dimensions. In this case, make sure to choose an ericaceous plant soil, and water regularly to maintain moisture in the substrate. In case of cold winter, shelter the pot at the corner of a wall, or even in a garage in case of severe frost, as potted cultivation exposes the roots more to freezing temperatures.
Planting period
Intended location
Care
Planting & care advice
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Hardiness is the lowest winter temperature a plant can endure without suffering serious damage or even dying. However, hardiness is affected by location (a sheltered area, such as a patio), protection (winter cover) and soil type (hardiness is improved by well-drained soil).
In temperate climates, pruning of spring-flowering shrubs (forsythia, spireas, etc.) should be done just after flowering.
Pruning of summer-flowering shrubs (Indian Lilac, Perovskia, etc.) can be done in winter or spring.
In cold regions as well as with frost-sensitive plants, avoid pruning too early when severe frosts may still occur.
The harvesting period indicated on our website applies to countries and regions in USDA zone 8 (France, England, Ireland, the Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...) fruit and vegetable harvests are likely to be delayed by 3-4 weeks.
In warmer areas (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), harvesting will probably take place earlier, depending on weather conditions.
The sowing periods indicated on our website apply to countries and regions within USDA Zone 8 (France, UK, Ireland, Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...), delay any outdoor sowing by 3-4 weeks, or sow under glass.
In warmer climes (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), bring outdoor sowing forward by a few weeks.
The planting period indicated on our website applies to regions in USDA Zone 9a (East Coast and Midlands: Dublin, Wexford, Waterford, Kilkenny, Portlaoise). It will vary depending on where you live:
- On the west coast and in the north-west (Galway, Limerick, Sligo, Donegal, Westport), delay planting by 1 to 2 weeks in spring and bring it forward by 1 to 2 weeks in autumn compared to the dates given, preferably choosing periods without strong winds.
- In the inland hills and plateaus (Wicklow Mountains, Macgillycuddy’s Reeks, Connemara, Killarney), it is best to plant in spring (April–May) or autumn (September–October), avoiding periods of waterlogged soil in winter and strong winds, which pose the main risk to newly planted trees in these areas.
The flowering period indicated on our website applies to regions in USDA Zone 9a, such as the East Coast and Midlands, including Dublin, Wexford, Waterford, Kilkenny and Portlaoise.
This will vary depending on where you live:
- On the west coast and in the northwest (Galway, Limerick, Sligo, Donegal and Westport), it will be delayed by one to two weeks compared to the given dates, due to stronger Atlantic winds and less spring sunshine.
- In the inland hills and plateaus (the Wicklow Mountains, the Macgillycuddy's Reeks, Connemara and Killarney), flowering will be delayed by two to three weeks. Flowering mainly occurs between May and July, with the limiting factors being less frost and more of the excessive humidity, strong winds and lack of sunshine that are characteristic of these areas.
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