This shrub is deciduous so it will lose all its leaves in autumn, then fresh new foliage appears again each spring.

• Position: full sun or partial shade
• Soil: moist, well-drained, moderately fertile, humus-rich soil
• Rate of growth: average
• Flowering period: July to September
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  Even though it's one of the most compact hydrangeas, when it's long-lasting flowers appear, 'Little Purple' will still offer lashings of summer colour. Perfect for a pot on the patio, it can also be used as a centrepiece in the summer bedding display - or simply to fill gaps at the front of the border. It's worth keeping in mind however that like all the mophead hydrangeas, the flower colour will vary depending on your soils pH. Therefore if you grow it in neutral or alkaline soils, the flower colour will become pinker.
  
  
• Garden care: Hydrangeas do not like to dry out. In dry weather, soak the roots with a hose and the plant will usually recover. Remove faded flowerheads in spring after the danger of frosts, cutting back the flowered stems to a strong pair of buds. Take out misplaced or diseased shoots. Mulch young plants with a well-rotted manure or compost in spring. Once established, remove a quarter to a third of the shoots to the base of the plant.