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Hydrangea 'Boléro Blue'
hydrangea (syn. French Bolero Blue)
A profusion of blooms, which unlike other hydrangeas, form along the length of the stems. The flowerheads themselves start cream,...
2 litre pot
available to order from late spring
1
Delivery options
Plant description
A profusion of blooms, which unlike other hydrangeas, form along the length of the stems. The flowerheads themselves start cream, turning blue when fully open under acidic soil conditions. Compact and spreading, ‘French Bolero Blue’ is well-suited to light shade and will cascade from a suitably large pot. The flowers are large, changing colour dependant on the acidity of the soil, and may arrive with pink or pinkish tones in our neutral to mildly acidic compost.
Hydrangeas give their best blue flowers on acidic soils with a pH of 5.5. When grown on neutral soil or arriving in our mildly acidic mix, the flowers will predominantly be pink, although you may also get blue or mauve blooms. If you want to make sure that your hydrangea has blue-toned flowers, you will need to make sure your pH does not creep above 6.5. To lower the pH on neutral soil, you can treat it annually with a hydrangea flower colourant containing aluminium salts.
Hydrangeas give their best blue flowers on acidic soils with a pH of 5.5. When grown on neutral soil or arriving in our mildly acidic mix, the flowers will predominantly be pink, although you may also get blue or mauve blooms. If you want to make sure that your hydrangea has blue-toned flowers, you will need to make sure your pH does not creep above 6.5. To lower the pH on neutral soil, you can treat it annually with a hydrangea flower colourant containing aluminium salts.
Eventual height & spread
Flowering period
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Plant features
Position
Full sun / light shade
Rate of growth
Average
Soil
Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
Hardiness
Fully hardy
How to care for Hydrangea Boléro Blue:
Hydrangeas prefer moist, well-drained soil and should not be allowed to dry out; in dry weather, soak the roots and the plant will usually recover. Plant in acidic soil or ericaceous compost to maintain blue flowers, as slightly alkaline soil can turn blooms pink. Keep soil evenly moist, mulch to protect roots, and feed in spring and mid-summer. Remove faded flowerheads in spring after frost risk, cutting stems back to a strong pair of buds, and take out any misplaced or diseased shoots. Once established, prune by removing a quarter to a third of the shoots to the base and mulch young plants with well-rotted manure or compost.
Please note:
This shrub is deciduous so it will lose all its leaves in autumn, then fresh new foliage appears again each spring.
Warning
Humans: Skin allergen; Pets: Harmful if eaten
