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Hydrangea macrophylla 'Variegata' (Bigleaf hydrangea, Florist's hydrangea)

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Variegata' Photo/Illustration: Chris Curless


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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Botanical Name: Hydrangea macrophylla 'Variegata' hy-DRAIN-jah mak-roe-FIL-lah Common Name: Bigleaf hydrangea, Florist's hydrangea Genus: Hydrangea
This mound-forming shrub has white leaf margins and blue or pink lacecap inflorescences.
 Noteworthy characteristics: Lacecap type with contrasting, white-edged leaves.
 Care: Grow in moist, but well-drained soil, in sun to partial shade. Provide shelter from drying winds. This plant flowers on the previous season's wood, and can be maintained by cutting back just to the first pair of buds beneath the old flower in spring.
 Propagation: Sow seed in a cold frame in spring; take softwood cuttings in early summer, hardwood cuttings in winter.
 Problems: Gray mold, slugs, powdery mildew, rust, ringspot virus, leaf spots.
Height 3 ft. to 6 ft.
Spread 3 ft. to 6 ft.
Growth Habit Clumps
Growth Pace Moderate Grower
Light Full Sun to Part Shade
Moisture Medium to Wet
Maintenance Low
Tolerance Frost Tolerant
Characteristics Showy Flowers; Showy Foliage; Showy Seed Heads
Bloom Time Summer
Foliage Color Variegated Foliage
Flower Color Blue Flower; Pink Flower; Purple/ Lavender Flower
Uses Beds and Borders, Container, Cut Flower, Dried Flower
Style Cottage Garden
Seasonal Interest Summer Interest, Fall Interest
Type Shrubs

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