Plant Patent #9,500. Cultivar name: 'Frau Reiko'The only lacecap Hydrangea in the world to sport picoteed blooms, Angel Lace™ would be breathtaking even if it weren't also so beautiful in its own right. These huge 8- to 8 1/2-inch inflorescences arise very freely on well-branched shrubs, dazzling with their combination of an outer ring of large sterile flowers of either pink or blue, each neatly edged in white, surrounding a dense inner circle of fertile flowers of pink or blue. They appear abundantly in late spring and early summer, are irresistible for cutting, and stand out from the garden like a beacon, signalling the presence of something utterly unique and highly prized.
The Halo™ series of Hydrangeas introduces an entirely new look to this colorful shrub. Compact enough for containers (Angel Lace™ is a bit larger than most at 4 to 5 feet high and wide, but still suitable for container growth), the Halos™ offer picotee blooms of either pink or blue, held in very large clusters on strong stems that won't flop in garden or vase. Quite cold-hardy, they are very heavy bloomers, offering nonstop flowers from late spring well into summer. Brought to us from Europe (where they were marketed as the Frau™ series) but originally bred in Japan in the 1990's by Hiroshi Ebihara, this series arose from crosses of H. 'Crystal Halo' x H. 'Silver Edge.' They are wonderfully dependable, hardworking, and a pleasure in any setting. To see another Halo™, click here for Angel Eyes.
Like most Hydrangeas, Angel Lace™ thrives in afternoon shade and well-worked, enriched soil. It is a fine choice for the border, and makes a stunning foundation planting. It is even suitable for use as a hedge. Do consider this most distinctive Halo™ for your landscape; there is none like it anywhere in the world. Zones 6-9.
