‘MAGICAL’ HYDRANGEAS LIVEUPTOTHEIRNAME
Last week I attended Cultivate 18 in Columbus, Ohio, North America’s premier horticultural show. There are lots of exciting new plants about to make their debut in 2019, but of all the flowering plants at the show, hydrangeas were, by far, the most prolifically displayed and promoted.
There was no shortage of new garden varieties in this category, but one series really caught my eye. Bred in Denmark, originally for the cut flower market, the ‘Magical’ group of hydrangeas have more than lived up to their name.
Danish company Kolster are the breeders of these beauties, and they got it right. Hardy to zone five, this family of mophead hydrangeas is unique for several great reasons.
Linda Guy, Kolster’s representative in the U.S., explained that the ‘Magical’ series features the longest blooming varieties of any hydrangeas, literally blooming for months. Within this series, Revolution has very firm-tothe-touch blooms, making them ideal as long-lasting cut flowers. They’re also relatively compact, don’t grow leggy like so many varieties, and are ideal for small space gardens.
Guy also mentioned that they grow into an attractive, nicely rounded, low plant.
There are many new varieties of hydrangeas, but today, especially in smaller-space gardens, it’s important that they bloom longer. Revolution not only blooms longer, but it repeats blooming as well. It comes in pink or blue and seems to continually put out new growth which sets bud quickly and keeps on going all through the summer. But there’s more: as the blooms mature, they become infused with green, and it’s the uniqueness of this green coloration that changes the whole look and nature of this plant. The blooms continue to evolve, taking on a most unusual antique quality, which is one of today’s hot looks.
Like most hydrangeas, the colouring of both pink and blue Revolution can be altered by applying aluminum sulphate for a richer blue or lime to keep the pink a good shade of pink. It can be fun to play with the colours.
Revolution is just one of the Magicals.
Green Cloud is a remarkable green with white undertones. Noblesse is a unique pure white that’s infused with green. And The Bride is a beautiful white with crimson that shows some green as it matures.
Guy said new varieties are being added each year, and to make the team, they must not only repeat bloom, but also the blooms must last a long time. Some older varieties, like Amethyst and Garnet, while still great, are being dropped because they don’t bloom continuously. It’s nice to see the breeder’s commitment to high standards.
In North America, the Magical brand has been better known as Everlasting.
No matter what they’re called, these plants are garden musthaves. According to Guy, these hydrangeas would also make great container plants because of their long-lasting nature and their interesting colour transitioning habits.
Some of these varieties, like Revolution, have been available in garden stores for a while now, and others will be showing up as early as next year. The great news is that two B.C. growers have them in production, so as the newer varieties appear, we’ll be among the first to enjoy them.
I’ve really been impressed with the Everlasting series for a couple of years now, and it was nice to meet with Guy to learn more about them. Although they were first developed for the cut flower market in Europe, they turned out to be the perfect garden hydrangea.
Save a spot in your garden or save a container for at least one of these unique and beautiful hydrangeas.
Remember, as a mophead type, morning sun and afternoon shade will give you the best results.