Hydrangea aspera Villosa Group

One of the finest Hydrangeas, making a medium sized compact shrub to about 2m, with softly hairy leaves and stems. Large, lilac-blue lacecap flowers with paler sterile florets borne in July and August, whether on acid or alkaline soil and effective till Oct. Very hardy, but can lose the first flush of leaves to late frost, though the flowers are never affected by this.