Hydrangea villosa (h.aspera ssp.villosa) 'VELVET LACE'

This beautiful hydrangea belongs to the so-called Villosa group of rough-leaved hydrangeas, while the proper translation of its Latin name is hairy hydrangea. It differs from the species by smoother leaves, smaller statue, and somewhat neater habit of adult shrubs. Varieties of this hydrangea are difficult to source and are mostly considered rare which is a pity - they are beautiful and easy to grow.

Velvet Lace (or 'Velvet and Lace') is a beautiful rough-leaved hydrangea with attractive flowers. They are composed in flattened corymbs, and consist of both fertile and sterile flowers. Fertile flowers in the middle are deep violet, while sterile flowers on the outer ring have pale mauve flower petals. They come out in early August and continue blooming for as long as two months.

Leaves are sizeable: 10-25 cm long, lance-shaped, margins slightly serrated, mid to deep green and densely covered with hairs. Although they are called rough the feel is rather velvety. The stems are sturdy and easily hold the mass of flowers even in long-lasting rains.

It grows slowly to medium fast and does not require pruning to maintain shape. The shrub is quite compact with a rounded, almost umbrella head. The soil has to be kept moist but well-drained, rich in organic material, preferably acid, yet it it does not require acidity in order to keep blue colour. It does well in full sun, too, if well mulched. Rough-leaved hydrangea comes from China and Tibet and withstands temperatures down to about -29°C (USDA zone 5).

Last update 25-08-2015