Bigleaf Hydrangea, French Hydrangea, Mophead 'Mme Emile Mouillere'

I have had Mme. Emile Mouillere in my yard for over a year in my Zone 7A garden, in Petersburg, VA. It was in a one gallon pot when I bo...Read Moreught it and now is in a three gallon pot, while I figure out where to fit it in. The information here on this site doesn't give it credit for the 6-1/2 foot spread, or even 2-1/2 meters that other sources give. Anyway, it is supposed to be suitable for containers, and in this year, it has tripled in size and is beginning to bloom. It has been out in a shady spot, with some partial sun exposure. The UK source says sun/part shade, but I don't know how it would handle afternoon sun here in southern Virginia. The blooms are supposed to be particularly good, among hydrangeas, for vases and drying.

This is moderately hardy in zone 6, producing some blooms. It can bloom on new wood at times, but is shy to do so. Purportedly one of the...Read More more sun-tolerant of the white macrophyllas. The foliage is an attractive emerald green, with long leaf internodes. The flowers are pH sensitive, where they will start white and acquire either a pink or blue hue as they mature.

According to the authors of "Encyclopedia of Hydrangeas" C.J. and D.M. Van Gelderen (2004 - Timber Press), "A vigorous growing shrub up t...Read Moreo 6.5' high and wide. Branches are weak, so plants are often untidy. Flowerheads are numerous, of medium size, with sepals packed together, pure white, serrrate, fading to light pink, and long lasting. Flowering occurs in June. This may be the best known white cultivar.

Other information: cold resistant; foliage turns red, orange and green in autumn.