Hydrangea ‘Kardinal’

A Tapestry of Lavender, Blue, and Mauve — Hard to Find But a Snap to Grow!

Just 4 feet tall, this plant concentrates all its energy on flower production!

One of Europe’s best-kept secrets, this exceptionally floriferous Hydrangea displays the entire range of purple and blue, from deep lavender to dusty mauve — often within a single 6-inch flowerhead. Needless to say, it is absolutely unrivalled as a cutflower, where a single bloom makes a varied and colorful bouquet, but I have to admit I am too fond of the sight of a fully-blooming garden specimen to cut many of the plentiful blooms. The flowers open a rich lavender-blue, then quickly change to various shades of lighter lilac and purple, eventually settling on a pleasing mauve. Spectacular by itself or planted among pink or white Hydrangeas, it reaches only 4 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide — small enough for the patio, yet large enough to make a dramatic impact even in a large bed or border.

The flowers begin in midsummer, flanked by glossy green foliage that stays attractive from spring through fall. It needs a bit of shade and good moisture during the hot summer months, but once established is wonderfully tolerant of drought and heat, making it a fine choice for the Deep South as well as the arid West. It prefers acidic soil, but thrives in any moist, well-drained setting. Zones 6-9.