‘I like all Hydrangeas’

Things to do in the garden this week

• Gaps appearing in your veggie patch can now be filled with a winter crop

• Prune rambling roses that have flowered and tie in the new branches for next season

• Prune wisteria now; cut back new growth to within three buds of the older wood – the plant will then put all its energy into making flower buds rather than extension growth

• Keep your lawn looking its best, give it a feed now

Runaway Bride is one of the new generation of Hydrangeas, it produces an abundance of large white flowers from summer into autumn, the difference being that it flowers on current season’s growth.

For anyone in the midlands that has unsuccessfully tried to grow Hydrangeas, this is the one for you.

The fact that it flowers on current season’s growth means that the buds are not susceptible to late frosts, which was the problem with the older varieties.

Previous to this, Hydrangeas would only flower successfully in a sheltered position, protected from early morning sunshine, this rule still applies if you plant any of the older varieties.

Runaway Bride can be kept compact; the pruning is easy – just cut all the branches back by half after the winter, give it a feed, and that’s it.

All Hydrangeas thrive in dampish soil, but not water-logged, and some varieties will thrive in shade.

There are a number of excellent climbing varieties that are more than happy on a north facing wall (Hydrangea Petiolaris and its cultivars).

I really like some of the more obscure varieties; Hydrangea Anthony Bullivant makes a large shrub (six feet plus) with flat racemens of saucer sized lilac/purple flowers. It will light up a dull corner in your garden.

Hydrangea Quercifolia, with its oak shaped leaves, has magnificent autumn colour.

Hydrangea Incredible (which is an improved version of Hydrangea Annabelle), with its almost football shaped creamy white flowers, grows up to eight feet high.

It creates a spectacular display, but you may have to support it.

I also like its cousin Pink Annabelle – come to think of it, I like all Hydrangeas. They flower for months, they are easy to grow, they love our climate and if you pick some of the flowers and dry them, they will brighten up your winter days.