Lacecap and mophead hydrengea plants
Lapcap and mophead hydrengeas, also known by the botanical name of hydrangea macrophylla, are beautiful, popular deciduous shrubs producing spectacular flower heads in vibrant shades of pink, red, blue and white. Lacecaps have flat flower heads with large outer petals and smaller flowers in the centre, while mopheads have full, spherical flower heads. These beauties are popular for good reason, making a fabulous display in the border or containers. They have a rounded growth habit with large, serrated, spear-shaped lush mid-green foliage which provides an ideal foil to set off the blooms. Over time after planting, the colour of the flowers will be based on your soil type – acidic soils generates lilac-purple blooms while alkaline soil produces pink flowers. Hydrangea macrophylla grows best in a fertile, moist yet well drained soil in a sheltered position, protected from cold, drying winds. Cut back hard in early spring to encourage fresh, vigorous new growth, removing one-third of old wood to the base each year to rejuvenate and encourage the production of new shoots.