The peasant hydrangea, Hydrangea macrophylla, was first brought to England from Japan in the second half of the 18th century by the English plant hunter Sir Joseph Banks. Farmhouse hydrangeas are therefore among the oldest hydrangea species brought to Europe. They are still one of the most popular garden plants.
The farmer's hydrangea flowers from June or July
Flowers are ball or plate shaped
The blossoms of the farmer's hydrangea are always a real eye-catcher. Depending on the variety, they are ball-shaped or loosely plate-shaped, with the actual flowers being rather inconspicuous. Sterile show flowers, strictly speaking they are sepals, which always surround the fertile ones, produce the actual flower splendor. The show flowers have the sole purpose of attracting the various insects that are supposed to do pollination.
Flowering begins in June
Farmhouse hydrangeas start flowering in June or July, depending on the variety, with the flowering period lasting into September or even October. In order to ensure rich flowering, farm hydrangeas flowering on last year's wood should not be cut in the spring. The location must also be chosen so that the flower buds do not freeze to death in late frosts.
tips and tricks
In order not to endanger the flower buds formed in the previous year in winter, the actually hardy farmer's hydrangeas should receive good frost protection.