Hydrangea aspera (Lacecap Hydrangea)

Hydrangea aspera (syn. Hydrangea villosa) is native to dense forests in the region between the Himalayas, across southern China, to Taiwan. It is a large, erect deciduous shrub growing to 3m tall and wide, with broadly oval leaves and dense branches. The flowers are typically borne in large flat heads in late summer, and are in variable shades of pale blue and pink, fringed by white or pale pink sterile florets.

The plant is widely cultivated, and favors a sheltered position in acidic or neutral soil, with best growth often in partial or afternoon shade.