Hydrangea serrata 'JPD01' DAREDEVIL mountain hydrangea, tea of heaven
size/type
medium-sized shrub,medium-sized shrub
usual height
0,8-1,2m
usual width
0,5-0,8m
leaves
deciduous broadleaf
colour of leaves
flowers
showy
colour of flowers
blooming time
June-September
location
full to partial sun
soil type
neutral to alkaline
soil moisture requirements
evenly moist but well-drained
USDA zone (lowest)
5 (down to -29°C)
winter protection
for zone 5+6
for zone 7
categorized
Hydrangea
Mountain hydrangea is an elegant species that is believed to be just a subspecies of mop-head hydrangea (h. macrophylla) among some botanists. It comes from mountainous regions of Korea and Japan and boasts better hardiness as well as tolerance to direct sunlight. Its inflorescence is usually flatter and leaves turn attractive shades of orange and red in autumn.Description of the plant:
DAREDEVIL is a very beautiful and hardy variety of mountain hydrangea, bred by French breeder Jean-Paul Davasse. US plant patent No. PP33412 was granted in 2021. It is a slow and upright growing, compact shrub with very deep maroon, almost black foliage with mahogany tones. The colour is stronger and deeper in full sun while in partial shade leaves turn greener. It begins to bloom in late June with not very large, dome-shaped, flattened panicles composed of both fertile (small and insignificant) and sterile (large and showy) flowers of medium to deep pink color without any perfume. It blooms on previous year's wood, so any pruning has to be done before the end of July at the latest so that its branches have time to mature and form flower buds for the following year.
The leaves are deciduous, broadly ovate, serrated at margins, and do not wilt in summer heat like those of mop-head hydrangeas. In autumn they take on rich crimson colour with a few orange tones. They contain phyllodulcin, a natural sweetener owing to which this plant is sometimes also called the 'tea of heaven', and they are used in Japan to make Amcha tea with which they celebrate the birth of the Buddha.
Hydrangeas love humus-rich, constantly moist but well-drained soil. Mulch the roots well to retain moisture. For pink shades make sure the soil is neutral or alkaline. Peat-based (acid) soil will make the flower turn violet-purple. You can use selective fertilizers to encourage flowering. Mountain hydrangea is much hardier than mop-head hydrangea and DAREDEVIL is suited to USDA zone 5 as it withstands frost down to about -29 °C on protected sites.
Last update 12-08-2022
