Hydrangeas have long been one of the world’s more popular garden plants. Both the large ball flowered forms and the more delicate looking Lace Cap types. Whilst traveling through New Zeland Clive Larkman came upon the Evergreen Hydrangea: Dichroa febrifuga [native to eastern Asia]. This attractive plant comes in two color forms, ‘Blue Cap’ (with deep blue flowers) and Mauve Cap (with pink/mauve flowers). It is also know as Dichroa versicolor.
Dichroa febrifuga ‘Blue Cap’ is an easy to grow shrub with deep blue lace cap flowers in mid to late summer. It will grow, in ideal conditions to 1.5 m tall and 1.6m wide. It likes part shade or filtered sun with summer moisture. (typical of most Hydrangeas) and It will grow, in ideal conditions to 1.5 m tall and 1.6m wide. Prune after flowering and feed with Osmocote Outdoor Trees and Shrubs.
The Evergreen Hydrangea looks best when planted in clumps of three or four in an area where they have room to grow. It is fairly quick growing and should reach a metre in 18 to 24 months. Plant under trees or in the shade of the house. Plant with Heuchera ‘Green Spice’ and Heuchera ‘Pewter Veil’ or a large Hosta like Hosta ‘Krossa Regal’ or Hosta ‘Mr Big’.
