Hydrangea family, Hydrangeaceae
Origin: eastern China
Habitat in the original area: shrubby slopes and mountain forests up to 1,800 metres above sea level
Habitus: The plant grows up to the height of 3 metres.
Leaf: The leaves grow oppositely on the branches; their petioles are up to 9 cm long. The leaf blade is up to 30 cm long and has a rounded or cordate base with a pointed tip. The upper side of the leaf is green and bristly, the lower side is grey-green with fine and soft trichomes.
Bloom, fruit: The plant blooms in July. Its flat, racemose inflorescences grow on the tops of the shoots. In the centre of the inflorescence, there are fertile purple blooms, and along the perimeter there are infertile white blooms. The plant´s fruits are capsules.
Interesting facts: For its large velvety leaves and lace-like blooms, it is suitable as a dominant solitaire, for example, in Japanese-style gardens.
