Hydrangea French Bolero
Hydrangea French Bolero
Hydrangea French Bolero
Hydrangea French Bolero
Hydrangea French Bolero
Hydrangea French Bolero
Hydrangea macrophylla x scandens French Bolero®
Plant arrived in decent condition, not very healthy upon receipt of the order. Fingers crossed for its recovery and regrowth.
Saxifrage, 02/03/2025
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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 'French Bolero' is a brand new hybrid hydrangea that is very different from traditional ball-shaped hydrangeas. This variety, which comes from France, has a unique characteristic inherited from its parent, Hydrangea scandens: the flowers not only bloom at the end of its branches, but also along the stems, at the axil of the leaves. Its other parent, H. macrophylla, has passed on its large fertile florets in soft shades of pink or blue depending on the soil, turning to lime-green. Adorned with garlands of flowers throughout the summer, this modest-sized shrub, graceful and light, is an excellent candidate for terrace decoration or a small garden.
Hydrangea 'French Bolero' was first presented in Germany at the international IPM Essen fair in late January 2019, where it won the bronze medal in the 'Show your colours' competition, and then the gold medal in the Innovert competition at the plant fair in Nantes. This selection is the result of a collaboration between the producers of the HW2 Hydrangea Worldwide association and research from Angers. Its first parent is the ball-shaped hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) that we know well, and the second is H. scandens, native to Japan, which forms small bushes with a spreading or trailing habit. All of these shrubs belong to the Hydrangea family.
'French Bolero' is a very hardy bush with a bushy but flexible habit, about as wide as it is tall, reaching approximately 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in) in all directions. Its flowering spreads continuously from June-July to September. It takes the form of large inflorescences in plateaus, composed of a few tiny fertile florets in the shape of buds surrounded by numerous much larger sterile florets with four petals. They appear at the end of the branches, as well as at each lateral bud present on these branches. In slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6.5 to 7), they will take on a pale lavender-pink hue. In acidic soil, on the contrary (pH < 6.5), their colour will be a pale blue. Before fading, these florets take on beautiful pastel yellow-green tones. The foliage turns yellow in autumn before falling. In summer, the flowering is accompanied by dark green foliage: the leaves are opposite, small for a hydrangea, single, with an oval to elliptical shape, ending in a tapered point and edged with teeth. This 'French Bolero' variety has good longevity.
Hydrangeas are sturdy and loyal plants that live and flower for many years in the garden. These shrubs are well known for brightening up the north side of houses. This 'French Bolero' variety is a wonderful terrace and balcony plant that will also thrive in flower beds. It truly deserves a prime location, near the house or close to the entrance. Even though these shrubs dislike limestone, hydrangeas are not strictly speaking acid-loving plants; they tolerate neutral soils. Pair them with bush fuchsias, or the curious Fuchsia hatschbachii, a climbing species, Lilies, and liriopes, or plant spring-flowering bulbs in front of their round silhouette. Enjoy their beautiful flowers for a long time, in the garden or in bouquets at home.
Hydrangea French Bolero in pictures
Plant habit
Flowering
Foliage
Botanical data
Hydrangea
macrophylla x scandens
French Bolero®
Hydrangeaceae
Cultivar or hybrid
Planting and care
Plant the French Bolero hydrangea in spring or early autumn, preferably in a semi-shaded position, for example against an east-facing wall, or even north-facing. Keep it sheltered from cold, drying winds. This variety tolerates a few hours of sun per day, in the morning. It does not necessarily require heather soil, but appreciates a deep, moist but well-drained, fairly fertile soil, possibly enriched with a good fertiliser before planting. If the soil is dry at the base of the wall, place the root ball at least 30 or 40 cm (11.8 or 15.7 in) away from the base of the wall and incorporate a quantity of well-decomposed compost to better retain moisture in the soil. Very hardy, Hydrangea macrophylla does not fear being planted in cold regions.
As for pruning, it should be done in spring. When the plant is mature, cut the oldest stems back to the base by a quarter or a third to encourage the formation of young shoots. Carry out this pruning every year.
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).
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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.