Hydrangea+Macrophylla++(Tara+Hill)

**Hydrangea macrophylla**
//Family: Hydrangeaceae// //Genus: Hydrangea// //Specific Epithet: macrophylla// //Cultivar: Bailmer// //Common Name: Endless Summer French Hydragea// //Plant Origin: Species Native to East Japan//


 * Description:** This plant is also referred to as a deciduous shrub. It usually grows up to 1-3 meters tall. The leaves have a coarsely toothed margin and its flowers can be white, or a range from blue to purple to pink, depending on soil pH. The flowers are blue in more acidic soil, and alkaline soils produce a pinkish bloom. White flowered varieties do not change color regardless of the pH level in the soil.


 * Hisorical Origins:** Hydrangea macrophylla is known as the common, big-leaf hydrangea. It has been known by gardeners in its native land of Japan for hundreds of years and it has been grown in its many forms. The plant has been cultivated in western gardens ever since the first American species were brought to England in the 1730s. In the late twentieth century, a renewed interest in lacecap forms of Hydroangea macrophylla emerged, and European breeders produced an outstanding range of colors in this wild floral form. "As Lacecaps have grown in popularity so have the more delicate cousins of the Macrophyllas, the Serratas, and many cultivars that originated in Japan have been brought back from the Orient by modern day plant collectors to grace our woodland gardens and satisfy a taste for the subtlety of these plants" (Vintage Gardens).


 * Cultural Significance:** This plant has been cultivated for many years as an ornamental plant in Japan and in the last 150 years, it has been used extensively for this same purpose in other areas of the world that have a temperate climate. In Japan, the plant is also treasured for its beauty of flowers and foliage, but it is sometimes used as a herb as well. Over 600 cultivars have been selected for garden use, which vary in flower color. In France, the plant intrigued French plant breeders at the turn of the last century. New seedlings were raised to attract the public with the beauty of young pot plants in full bloom, with their large blossoms of pink, blue, or white flowers. Today, the potted hydrangea is almost a symbol in France of Mother's Day.


 * Importation or Cultivation of the plan in the United States:** Like I mentioned above, Hydrangeas have been cultivated in western gardens ever since the first American species were brought to England in the 1730s. Today, the plant is used in the United States for gardening purposes. The plant is popular and remains a long time garden favorite because of its beautiful appearance.


 * Description of what we can learn about culture (in the U.S. or in the place of origin for the plant):** In the United States, we could study the origin of gardening and explore the reasons that Americans wish to plant and tend to their own gardens. Some even think of gardening as a favorite past time or hobby. It would be interesting to see how gardening came about in this form. In Japan, we could study the origin of ornamental plants, as well as the use of plants as herbs. I think the use of plants as herbs could be an extensive topic but one that offers valuable insight into Japan's culture.

http://www.vintagegardens.com/hydro_care.html http://en.academic.ru/dic.nsf/enwiki/929535
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