Deinanthe

Uncommon herbaceous Chinese Hydrangea relative named for the distinctive cleft or bifid leaves. Pale green foliage with terminal clusters of white flowers showing their affinity to Hydrangeas. The individual flowers are quite intricate and we always look forward to our annual momentary submersion of our selves into these blossoms. The herbaceous stems dies to the ground in winter. Light to heavy shade and best in moisture retentive soil.

From manic hybridizer Darrell Probst comes this herbaceous Asian Hydrangea relative. Softer blue than D. caerulea but with leaves showing a distinct Camel Toe cleft attesting to D. bifida affinity. (Had a friend who was Wardrobe Mistress for PNW Ballet and Camel Toes were her bane) The fertile flowers on this are a study in intricacy and worth bending over for. I meant that the plant is short and not because it is 16 bucks! Sheesh. Can't believe you were thinking that. This likes some light shade a good soil that doesn't dry but drains.

We've always regarded this herbaceous Hydrangea relative from Asia as one of the preeminent collector's plants for the shade garden. From a woody rootstock each spring arises multiple stems holding textured rounded leaves tinged in soft purple edges with midsummer terminal clusters of lavender flowers possessing the most exquisite detail.