Hydrangea macrophylla
Hydrangea macrophylla is a species of flowering plant in the family Hydrangeaceae, native to Japan. It is a deciduous shrub growing to tall by broad with large heads of pink or blue flowers in summer and autumn. Common names include bigleaf hydrangea, French hydrangea, lacecap hydrangea, mophead hydrangea, penny mac and hortensia. It is widely cultivated in many parts of the world in many climates. It is not to be confused with "H. aspera" 'Macrophylla'. Description. The term "macrophylla" means large- or long-leaved. The opposite leaves can grow to in length. They are simple, membranous, orbicular to  elliptic and acuminate. They are generally serrated. The inflorescence of "Hydrangea macrophylla" is a corymb, with all flowers placed in a plane or hemisphere, or even a whole sphere in cultivated forms. Two distinct types of flowers can be identified: central, non-ornamental, pentamerous ones, and peripheral, ornamental, tetramerous ones. The latter have sterile pistils with fertile stamen. The four sepals of decorative flowers have colors ranging from pale pink to red fuchsia purple to blue. The non-decorative flowers have five small greenish sepals and five small petals. Flowering lasts from early summer to early winter. The fruit is  a subglobose capsule. Distribution and habitat. "Hydrangea macrophylla" is native to Japan. It is reported from seaside habitats as well as mountains in Japan, from Honshu southwards. This species has naturalized in China, New Zealand and the Americas. It is an invasive species in the Azores and Madeira archipelagos. Colors and soil acidity. "Hydrangea macrophylla" blooms can be blue, red, pink, light purple, or dark purple. The color is affected by soil pH. An acidic soil (pH below 7) will usually produce flower color closer to blue, whereas an alkaline soil (pH above 7) will produce flowers more pink.This  is caused by a color change of the flower pigments in the presence of aluminium ions which can be taken up into hyperaccumulating plants. Landscaping. In climates where "Hydrangea macrophylla" flowers, place in a mixed shrub border or at the back of a flower bed. Its rich foliage and large size make it a wonderful background for white or light colored flowers, even tall growing perennials and annuals. In warm climates "H. macrophylla" is good for adding a splash of early summer color to shady areas and woodland gardens. Minimal pruning is recommended for most prolific flowering. Flowers are easily  air dried and are long lasting. While "Hydrangea macrophylla" is not considered a particularly difficult plant to grow, it may fail to flower. This may be due to cold winter damage to the flower buds, not getting enough sunlight, too much nitrogen fertilizer, or pruning at the wrong time of year. "H. macrophylla" forms flower buds in late summer. As a result, pruning in late summer, fall or winter could remove potential flowers. Chemistry. Phyllodulcin, hydrangenol, and their 8-O-glucosides, and thunberginols A and F can be found in "H. macrophylla". Thunberginol B, the dihydroisocoumarins thunberginol C, D and  E, the dihydroisocoumarin glycosides thunberginol G 3'-O-glucoside and (−)-hydrangenol 4'-O-glucoside and four kaempferol and quercetin oligoglycosides can be found in "Hydrangeae Dulcis Folium", the processed leaves of "H. macrophylla" var. "thunbergii". The leaves also contain the stilbenoid hydrangeic acid. The various colors, such as red, mauve, purple, violet and blue, in "H. macrophylla" are developed from one simple anthocyanin, delphinidin 3-glucoside (myrtillin), which forms complexes with metal ions called metalloanthocyanins. Lunularic acid, lunularin, 3,4′-dihydroxystilbene and a glycoside of lunularic acid have been found in the roots of "H. macrophylla". Hydrangine is another name for the coumarin umbelliferone , and may be responsible for the possible toxicity of the plant. Possible uses. Amacha is a Japanese beverage made from fermented leaves of "Hydrangea macrophylla" var. "thunbergii". "Hydrangeae Dulcis Folium" is a drug made from the fermented and dried leaves of "H. macrophylla var. thunbergii" with possible antiallergic and antimicrobial properties. It also has a hepatoprotective activity by suppression of D-galactosamine-induced liver injury in vitro and in vivo. "Hydrangea macrophylla" is included in the Tasmanian Fire Service's list of low flammability plants, indicating that it is suitable for growing within a building protection zone. Leaf extracts of  Hydrangea macrophylla are being investigated as a possible source of new chemical compounds with antimalarial activity. Hydrangeic acid from the leaves is being investigated as a possible anti-diabetic drug as it significantly lowered blood glucose, triglyceride, and free fatty acid levels in laboratory animals. Cultivars. The two main types of "H. macrophylla" cultivars are called "mophead" and "lacecap". Some popular hydrangea cultivars (those marked have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit) include: