Hydrangea aspera Hot Chocolate ('Haopr012'PBR)
hydrangea [Hot Chocolate]
A bushy, deciduous shrub, to 4m tall, with hairy leaves flushed a dark purple when young and with burgundy-red undersides. Flattened heads of flowers, comprising blue-purple inner fertile florets and cup-shaped soft pink ray florets, are borne from early summer to autumn
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Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
1.5–2.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Purple Green Red | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Blue Pink Purple | Green Red | ||
| Autumn | Blue Pink Purple | Green Red | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing or North–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Hydrangeaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- Potentially harmful
- Skin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
- Genus
Hydrangea can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs, or self-clinging climbers, with flowers in clusters usually comprising both small fertile and more showy sterile flowers; often good autumn colour
- Name status
Trade
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in any moist but well-drained soil in partial shade or grow in sun if soil remains reliably moist. Improve chalky soils with organic matter to support good growth. See shrubby hydrangea cultivation for further advice
Propagation
Propagate by softwood cuttings
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Flower borders and beds
- Wall side borders
Pruning
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids, capsid bug, hydrangea scale and vine weevil
Diseases
May be susceptible to a leaf spot, powdery mildews, grey moulds (Botrytis) and honey fungus (rarely)
Get involved
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