Hydrangea macrophylla x serrata Flair & Flavours Strawberry n Cream

The Hydrangea macrophylla Flair & Flavours 'Strawberry n Cream' is a lacecap Hydrangea, with raspberry-red sterile florets with a yellow-cream centre surrounding pinkish-yellow fertile florets. The compact shrub blooms from early summer to autumn on very dark green foliage, both on the current year's growth and on the previous year's growth. In highly acidic soil, the flowers turn blue. This Hydrangea is hardy and should be placed in a partially shaded location with non-limestone soil. It is easy to grow, requiring only an annual pruning in spring and regular watering in summer to keep the soil moist.

The Hydrangea macrophylla is a deciduous shrub, native to Japan, where its beauty has been appreciated for centuries and mentioned in poems dating back to the 8th century! In a country that values plants highly, there are even festivals dedicated to this shrub. It is found in the wild on the island of Honshu (which is home to the capital Tokyo), and it was introduced to Europe around 1789. This shrub is also highly appreciated in Europe by professionals, including nurseries that specialise in its production, breeders who have selected dozens of cultivars, and amateurs. 
This 'Strawberry n Cream' Flair & Flavours Hydrangea is a compact variety, reaching a maximum size of 1 metre in all directions. It forms a beautiful, regular tuft with healthy, very dark green, serrated leaves. Its inflorescences appear in July and last until September or October. The flat "lacecap" heads consist of sterile and fertile florets, with colours that vary depending on the soil acidity. If the soil is acidic and contains enough Aluminum ions (Al³⁺), the inflorescences will turn blue to slightly purplish. In neutral or slightly alkaline soil, they will be raspberry-red. In both cases, it can be said that this beautiful shrub exudes a charm imbued with romance. In autumn, its foliage usually takes on a beautiful colouration, adding to its ornamental interest.

As a small-sized shrub, this Hydrangea, like all H. macrophylla, is not strictly an ericaceous plant, but it prefers neutral to acidic soils. It thrives in partially shaded to shaded areas in hot climates, as well as regular watering in summer, as it does not tolerate drought (both in the soil and in the atmosphere), which can cause its leaves to wilt. In less sunny climates, it can be planted in open spaces. Care consists of an annual pruning in spring, before the new leaves emerge. This shrub with its long summer flowering period is very hardy (-20°C or more, although severe frost can damage the tips of the branches, they easily recover after pruning in spring). Easy to grow, it can live for a very long time.

The 'Strawberry n Cream' Hydrangea is a very good variety for container cultivation, on a balcony or a terrace sheltered from afternoon sun. A thick terracotta pot will be well-suited, and if using a plastic container, it is preferable to choose a "double skin" one, meaning two walls separated by an air gap, creating an insulating layer that prevents the potting soil from overheating and the roots from becoming too hot in summer, and also provides some protection against frost in winter. Use a potting soil for heather plants, adding a bit of compost. Water regularly during hot periods. When planted in the garden, place it in a lightly shaded bed, at the edge of trees, alongside plants with similar requirements. To extend the flowering season, consider Witch Hazels for late winter, Chinese Azaleas and Deciduous Magnolias for spring, and Camellia sasanqua for autumn.