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Hydrangea aspera 'Bellevue' https://growingontheedge.net/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=10547 |
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Author: | Nick Macer [ Fri Aug 11, 2017 9:35 am ] |
Post subject: | Hydrangea aspera 'Bellevue' |
Are many people aware of this utterly superb and relatively newly available Hydrangea aspera clone from France? I have sold it for a few years now and my plant in the ground is about 2.5 to 3m after just a few years growth with huge leaves and huge inflorescences. It looks amazing, but it was only when Nate (a member here) called in the other day and mentioned to me that there was a good photo on the internet of a mature plant that I got a glimpse of its potential. I have described it as reaching 4m, but it would appear that it might get even taller. The photo below is as mentioned and swiped from the internet and is very washed-out colour-wise, as the flower heads are far more richly coloured, being rich mauvey-blue and equal to H. aspera 'Macrophylla' (one of the parents). My description of the plant |
Author: | themes [ Fri Aug 11, 2017 3:13 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Hydrangea aspera 'Bellevue' |
Bellevue is 10 foot at the moment. It likes soil that does not dry out. Although the plant I acquired from you a few years ago is growing in shade I struggle in the hot months to stop the leaves flopping when it needs water. Saying that, I would not want to part with it |
Author: | NateInLondon [ Fri Aug 11, 2017 11:57 pm ] |
Post subject: | 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? |
Author: | griphuz [ Fri Aug 25, 2017 9:55 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Hydrangea aspera 'Bellevue' |
I've seen that original plant last year as Sven, Koen and I visited France. Unfortunately it wasn't in flower, but nevertheless very impressive. France has some good gardens as well! cheers, Remko. |
Author: | Adam D [ Mon Aug 28, 2017 8:44 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Hydrangea aspera 'Bellevue' |
Wow! That's a monster. My 'Macrophylla' seems to have slowed down over the last couple of years for some reason and it isn't due to lack of moisture. I would check to see the colour of the flowers, but those damned late April frosts killed all the flower buds, grrr! |
Author: | Steven [ Mon Aug 28, 2017 9:47 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Hydrangea aspera 'Bellevue' |
Same for me Adam! Mine gets zapped by late frosts every year and is the first one to droop its leaves during summer heat. It's a rather difficult troublesome plant, despite being fully hardy and otherwise easy to grow. Wow, that Bellevue seems to be a massive improvement. I have seen huge plants of Macrophylla in local parks, but the pic is just impressive! |
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