Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas are a lovely addition to your garden and can be planted at the back of borders or be kept in pots. Most hydrangeas prefer a shadier position and moist soil (they will tell you when they are dry as their leaves will droop). 

There are many types of hydrangeas including:

* macrophylla (mophead) - large dark green leaves & big round flower heads in a range of colours. If your soil is acidic the flowers will be blue but if alkaline they'll be pink

* Lacecap - unusual flowers that are flat clusters will open petals around edge

* paniculata (panicle) - cone shaped flowers usually in green, white or pink

* quercifolia (oak-leaf) - an unusual shaped leaf similar to an oak leaf

* aspera (rough leaf) - a type with hairy rough leaves that produces flat flowerheads that are usually purple in the centre with white flowers around the outside

* anomala (climbing) - a self-clinging climber with white flowers

* arborescens (smooth) - an attractive type with soft bright green leaves & large rounded flowerheads