Re: Hydrangea aspera 'Bellevue'
It's an amazing photo isn't it? if it wasn't for the man standing next to it, you could easily mistake it for a much closer shot of a smaller variety. The way the leaves, inflorescences and overall stature are in proportion with each other really makes it seem like a giant - I guess this is a prime example of hybrid vigor.
Got mine planted in rich moist soil with loads of added compost & leaf mould, so we'll see what it does over the next few years. I seem to remember Nick saying his specimen was only 3 or 4 years old - which has got to put the growth rate at almost 1m per year! Looking forward to some massive fuzzy leaves and blooms bigger than my head
Does anyone know how asperas generally respond to pruning?