What: Hydrangea macrophylla Blaumeise is one of the best hydrangeas from the Swiss-bred Teller series and is often sold under the invalid name of Teller Blue. Mid summer will find this deciduous shrub glowing with large flat flowers composed of wide, deep-blue-to-indigo sterile florets surrounding tiny fertile flowers even deeper in hue. The color holds well, providing a flash of brilliant color through the summer. Accentuating the showy blooms are the shiny, bright green leaves with a strongly toothed edge. The bold foliage is a great textural contrast to rhododendrons and azaleas. The bright blues look great with variegated foliage or silver and gray leaves. Shade loving perennials like hostas and epimedium make a great foil around this prized summer bloomer.
Where: This hydrangea grows best in light to open shade. A location protected from hot sun will keep the foliage and flowers from prematurely fading or scorching. A rich, moist-to-well-drained soil produces the best growth and flowering.
Size: Grows to 7 feet tall by 5 feet wide in 10 years.
Care: Hydrangeas are not drought tolerant and will grow and flower more prolifically with regular summer watering. The typically acidic soils of the Pacific Northwest will cause the variable flowers to bloom with purple and blue tones. For pink flowers, add lime to raise the pH and sweeten the soil. Have a soil test done to determine the amount of lime. Changing the color can often take a few years to accomplish with more than one application of lime. Remove a few old, twiggy branches to the ground yearly or prune lightly to improve the overall shape. Heavy pruning can ruin the flowering for the following year. Consult an experienced pruner or take local classes before attempting substantial pruning.
— greatplantpicks.org
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