There are some plants that are just part of the gardener’s palette. Plants that one expects to be in almost any large garden and many small ones. Plants that attract both those that love to ‘just be’ in the garden and those who like to ‘work’ their garden. The humble Hydrangea is the epitome of these plants. It has been around centuries, it is easy to grow, can find a place in any garden and has many uses. It is a medium sized genus from Central and eastern Asia and North and South America, with fifty plus species and hundreds of cultivars. First cultivated by the other great gardening nation Japan. The history of the various cultivars, hybrids and species is as complex as any good murder mystery.
Most of the modern cultivars come from the species Hydrangea macrophylla. ‘Saturn is no exception. It is a ‘mop head’ form with bi-color umbels. It is part of the ‘Star Line’ selection form Europe. Each sepal has a deep crimson centre with a thick white margin. Like most of the mop heads the color can be changed by creating an acidic soil. ‘Saturn’, like most Hydrangea is tolerant of most frosts and coastal conditions. They will grow in full sun but need to be kept well watered and prefer part shade to filtered sun. Plants can be dead headed when finished flowering but if in heavy frost areas it is best to leave the flowers on until late winter.
Hydrangea ‘Saturn’ likes a good feed with Osmocote in spring. If the bush requires a prune, remove the oldest stems from the base and allow the new young ones to grow away. Saturn grows to around 1m high and produces masses of flowers in mid summer. Plant with winter and spring flowering plants like Lavandula angustifolia, Geum ‘Double Blazing Sunset’ and Rosmarinus or foliage plants like Hosta and Tiarella.
This is only one in The Hydie range by Larkman Plants
