Hydrangea arborescens 'Grhyar1406' CANDYBELLE^® MARSHMALLOW

Smooth hydrangea is a reliable deciduous shrub with plenty of flowers from late spring through summer. Formerly only white flowering plants were cultivated, however, now there are quite a few varieties offering pink flowers as well. Or perhaps something in between such as this variety bred by Guido Rouwette from Dutch town Valkenburg. US patent No. PP31121 was granted in 2019, European PBR application No. 20182083 was applied for in 2018. It won Bronze Medal at an international novelty fair Plantarium in Boskoop in 2019.

CANDYBELLE^® MARSHMALLOW is a smooth hydrangea
with flowers that do resemble those fluffy sweets. They form 17-23 cm wide rounded corymbs (flower-heads) composed of sterile flowers that are off white to pale salmon pink heads. They appear from mid June atop strong stems 80-90 cm tall. Deciduous leaves are ovate, mid to dark green, changing to yellow in autumn.

Grow this hydrangea if you are in doubt whether the large-leaved macrophylla varieties with coloured flowers will survive your winter. This one will grow happily in USDA zone 4 (possibly 3 - not tested) where winter temperatures drop down to -34°C, and can be cut severely in the spring. It can be grown as a small garden specimen plant, or placed wisely among other shrubs which it will highlight with its flower colour in summer.

It will grow in almost any soil type, moist soil that will not too heavy or shallow. Fertilizing is not necessary but the plant will be stronger in humus-rich soil. It benefits from regular hard pruning in early spring. Don't forget to water this beauty more frequently as it is dependent on regular water supply, especially if you grow it in a pot because this beauty is hardy to about -35 °C (USDA zone 4) in the ground as well as in a container.

Last update 06-07-2021