It took me a while to get around to it but I finally ordered one from Santa Rosa Gardens. (Thanks to the Grumpy Gardener for his recommendation!) They were having a clearance sale on their plants and I picked up one 'Mariesii Variegata' for $2.99, that's a price that's hard to beat! (After looking back at their site it seems they are now sold out - apparently I bought mine in the nick of time!)
What makes the variegated hydrangea so special? It's a matter of personal taste I guess but for me it's the variegation combined with the lacecap flowers. I like all hydrangeas but when comparing the lacecaps to the mophead hydrangeas (which are also Hydrangea macrophylla) the lacecaps win out every time! The variegation adds an element of interest when the plant isn't in bloom. No matter what kind of hydrangea you like they are worthwhile to plant in the garden if you have the right place for that right plant!
Variegated Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) 'Mariesii Variegata':
Where to plant hydrangeas:
A location that gets morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal. In the south err on the side of more shade (a couple hours morning sun and the rest of the day shade.) Avoid afternoon sun at all costs! It likes zones 5-9. Find a location where it can receive good moisture. How to Propagate Hydrangeas:
Stem tip cuttings, greenwood cuttings, and hardwood cuttings all root well.A little bit of irony: Exactly two years today was when I wrote the post on taking cuttings from the variegated hydrangea!
Hi Dave, I do like this plant. Unfortunately, it rarely blooms for me in Connecticut but that fresh looking foliage looks great right through to the first frost. I propagate by layering, which seems to work pretty well if you can wait a few months...
ReplyDeleteLooks good. I really like the variegated kind.
ReplyDeleteThey are lovely indeed.
ReplyDeleteThe foliage is pretty! Yes, it's a plus for a plant if it looks interesting even when it's not in bloom.
ReplyDeleteI have three cuttings that rooted out of 4. The fourth has new growth where there should be roots. I think it's confused. I can't wait to see them bloom next year.
ReplyDeleteThose are cool. We have bad luck with hydrangea. I'll have to try again next year.
ReplyDeleteVery cool hydrangea.
ReplyDeleteI have one of these. After 3 years I am finally getting tons of blooms! Because of the soil mine are more on the purplish side. Lovely!
ReplyDeleteI have one of these and I've never had a bloom because I keep forgetting to protect it from the cold. It's not quite hardy here in my climate.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the photo, It'll help spur me to protect it this coming winter.