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: fast-growing
• Flowering period: June to October
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  Winner of RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year 2014, this stunning hydrangea can flower on both new and old wood, so it has a very long period of interest. The petals of the sterile, double flowers have a deep rose margin, creating a picotee effect with the creamy white centre. They look dazzling against the backdrop of lush green foliage, which takes on burgundy overtones in spring and autumn.
  
  
• 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.