Hydrangea macrophylla / Bigleaf Hydrangea

Note: this is now an ex-plant.  It did not survive winter and did not come back in spring 2012.

Planted in 2010, in a large container.

from Dave's Garden forum

This is 'Blau Doneau', or 'Blue Danube', a gift that came in a tiny four inch pot, probably from Home Depot, as they were selling quite a few in 2010.  It has pink and blue large pom pom blooms that have a bright metallic cast in their coloring.

Although it was tiny, it already had very large mophead forced blooms, more pink than blue.

Because macrophyllas are not hardy here, I put it in a large container, and it has been in the garage over winter.  I'm not crazy about the look of mophead hydrangeas, especially this one with its mixed colors.  But I'll keep it in its pot, and move it to any spot in the garden that needs brightening.  Or it may dress up the patio.  The blooms should be big, and their metallic look should lighten up a shady spot.

In earliest March it was already leafing out in the dark garage:

March 3, 2011

I planted it along the east side of the house in 2011.  It did not return in spring 2012.