Flower of the Week - Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla)

Hydrangeas are originally native to China, though they have become much hybridised and are now grown throughout the world. In Sydney they flower just before Christmas. The flowers, in clusters (corymbs) may be blue, mauve, pink white or red. There are two main groups, the hortensis or mop head hydrangeas and the lace caps.  The colour of the flowers can be altered by adding aluminium sulphate (for blue flowers) or lime (for pink or red flowers).