Hydrangea macrophylla 'Black Steel Zambia' (Black Steel Series)
black steel hydrangea
This shrub is deciduous so it will lose all its leaves in autumn, then fresh new foliage appears again each spring.
- Position: partial shade
- Soil: moist, well-drained, moderately fertile, humus-rich soil
- Rate of growth: fast-growing
- Flowering period: June to October
- Hardiness: fully hardy
A recently introduced cultivar that produces the much-loved flower clusters throughout summer and autumn, but these are carried on lustrous, near-black stems. This gives the plant a unique and attractive twist. The flower colour can vary when grown on acidic soils, but generally the deep pink flowers of 'Zambia' appear a lime green colour when they are first emerging, and both the young and more mature flowers contrast really well with its steely coloured stems. A very welcome addition to the family. The dark stem colour becomes more obvious as the plant matures. - Garden care: Leave the old flower heads in place through the winter. As the new shoots start to emerge in spring cut back a third to a quarter of the previous season's flowering stems to the base and cut back the remaining flower heads to the first pair of buds.
- Humans: Skin allergen; Pets: Harmful if eaten