Hydrangea macrophylla f. macrophylla(hortensia, "Ajisai")
Japanese name: アジサイ（紫陽花） Scientific name:Hydrangea macrophylla f. macrophylla
[Overview]
A deciduous shrub 3 m tall. It is a horticultural plant said to have arisen from the wild Gaku-ajisai, and is known as a flowering tree symbolizing the rainy season.
The leaves are thick, obovate, 10–15 cm long, toothed, and glossy on the upper surface.
It bears ball-shaped inflorescences made up almost entirely of nearly sterile decorative flowers.
The decorative flowers have sepals developed into petal-like structures, and are blue to pale pink; the flower color is affected by the acidity of the soil.
[Cultivation]
Propagate by division or cuttings.
It is somewhat sensitive to dryness, and tolerates shade but flowers poorly there.
There are no particular pests or diseases.
