A couple years ago I propagated a variegated hydrangea from a beautiful hydrangea that was in my wife’s aunt’s garden. Hydrangeas are extremely easy to propagate and well worth the effort but unfortunately the spot I chose to plant it wasn’t good enough. I had assumed that the location had morning sun and afternoon shade (which it did) but there just wasn’t enough afternoon shade for it to survive. Sometimes even the morning sun here is too intense for plants that need those conditions.
It took me a while to get around to it but I finally ordered one from Santa Rosa Gardens. (Santa Rosa Gardens no longer sells plants individually, they have gone wholesale buy there are other sources and don’t currently have hydrangeas). They were having a clearance sale on their plants and I picked up one ‘Mariesii Variegata’ for $2.99, that’s a price that’s hard to beat!
What makes the variegated hydrangea so special? It’s a matter of personal taste I guess but for me it’s the variegation combined with the lacecap flowers. I like all hydrangeas but when comparing the lacecaps to the mophead hydrangeas (which are also Hydrangea macrophylla) the lacecaps win out every time!
The variegation adds an element of interest when the plant isn’t in bloom. No matter what kind of hydrangea you like they are worthwhile to plant in the garden if you have the right place for that right plant!
Variegated Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) ‘Mariesii Variegata’:
Where to plant hydrangeas?
A location that gets morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal. In the south err on the side of more shade (a couple hours morning sun and the rest of the day shade.) Avoid afternoon sun at all costs! It likes zones 5-9. Find a location where it can receive good moisture.
How to Propagate Hydrangeas?
Stem tip cuttings, greenwood cuttings, and hardwood cuttings all root well.
For Specific Hydrangea propagation procedures visit my post on Propagating Hydrangeas.
Also you can watch this video on how to propagate hydrangeas:
Plant Growing Details for ‘Mariesii Variegata’ Hydrangea
Below are the ideal growing conditions for ‘Mariesii Variegata’ hydrangea.
| Best Conditions | |
|---|---|
| Sun vs Shade | Afternoon Shade, Dappled Morning Sun |
| pH | 6.0 to 8.0 |
| Moisture | well drained but moist (don’t plant in soggy locations) |
| Size | Width: 4-5 ft, Height 4-5 ft |
| Hardiness | 5b to 9b |
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Hi Dave, I do like this plant. Unfortunately, it rarely blooms for me in Connecticut but that fresh looking foliage looks great right through to the first frost. I propagate by layering, which seems to work pretty well if you can wait a few months…
Looks good. I really like the variegated kind.
They are lovely indeed.
The foliage is pretty! Yes, it's a plus for a plant if it looks interesting even when it's not in bloom.
I have three cuttings that rooted out of 4. The fourth has new growth where there should be roots. I think it's confused. I can't wait to see them bloom next year.
Those are cool. We have bad luck with hydrangea. I'll have to try again next year.
Very cool hydrangea.
I have one of these. After 3 years I am finally getting tons of blooms! Because of the soil mine are more on the purplish side. Lovely!
I have one of these and I've never had a bloom because I keep forgetting to protect it from the cold. It's not quite hardy here in my climate.
Thanks for the photo, It'll help spur me to protect it this coming winter.