Hydrangea
Hydrangea: Sowing, planting and harvest calendar
Hydrangeas belong to the genus Hydrangea in the family Hydrangeaceae. The genus mainly includes woody shrubs, but also contains climbers. Asian and American species have contributed to numerous garden selections. Large flower heads are their most familiar feature, while foliage and the shrub's framework give lasting presence in borders. Mature size varies considerably, from compact forms to large, branching specimens. Botanical identity helps explain the outline and seasonal character of an individual plant.Bigleaf hydrangea, Hydrangea macrophylla, is particularly familiar. Broad, often toothed leaves accompany rounded flower heads in mophead forms or flatter heads in lacecaps. In lacecaps, small fertile flowers occupy the centre and larger decorative flowers surround them. The conspicuous coloured parts are mainly sepals. Flower structure consequently explains very different outlines behind the shared name hydrangea. A large head is an arrangement of many flowers, rather than a single giant bloom.Other species add further variation. Hydrangea paniculata bears…
