Often referred to as "Pheasant" this lacecap from the Teller group is a sturdy shrub with clear red sepals on sweet soil or an intense dark lavender on acidic soil. Blooms in mid-summer with large flowerheads. As with all Teller selections, protect from late winter frosts as it emerges from winter dormancy earlier than most macrophyllas. Height 5 feet. Zones 6 - 9.

Hydrangea macrophylla ’Nachtigall’ produces indigo blue to purple lacecap flowers on a stout, strong growing plant, if you garden on acid soil. As a "Teller" type it needs a bit of extra protection from the last blast of winter but merits the thought by the strength of color it brings to the garden. Deciduous, for part shade, it will be 5’ tall & as wide. Zones 6-9. In a research paper Dr. Hazel Wetzstein and Warner Orozco-Obando at the University of Georgia studied patterns of flower bud development among cultivars of Hydrangea macrophylla. They found that the percentage of terminal and lateral buds on dormant shoots containing flower primordia (which were dissected and evaluated microscopically) in ’Nachtigal’ were 100% of terminal buds and 100% of lateral buds.

A robust plant with very large, deep blue lacecap flowers if grown on acid soil, or a fine crimson if not. One of the most robust of the "Teller" group, Hydrangea macrophylla ’Blaumeise’ still warrants a bit of extra protection at the end of winter to assure good bloom. Flowers that grace the covers of magazines. Height to 5 feet or better. Zones 6 - 9. Some images courtesy of Raulston Arboretum.

Extraordinarily deep red lacecap if you grow Hydrangea macrophylla ’Kardinal’ in sweet soil, otherwise it will tend to purple. Robust shrub to 5 feet with good green foliage. Even so, as one of the Teller series of lacecaps, it needs to be protected from the late frosts of the season because it buds out when spring is still a hint. Zones 6 - 9.