Derby Hydrangeas

Hidden away in one of Derby's parks is a walled garden given over to hydrangeas You've probably got an idea of what you think a hydrangea looks like - a shrub with huge mop-headed clusters of flowers, either pink or blue depending on the soil types - but there are far more variations than that.  

Set up to prevent the extinction of certain species, this garden now holds over a hundred varieties of Hydrangea Paniculata (like the one on the left) alone, plus, of course, the popular mop-heads. And they're all looked after by a group of volunteers - Hydrangea Derby

Last time I visited, a few years ago, the weather had been dry for a long while and the plants were not as exuberant as they are this year. 

Sometimes you might wonder what the difference is between two plants - a little more pink or green on the petals maybe.

 Sometimes the flower shape is completely different, as with this 'Great Star'.

Sometimes the leaves look entirely different. This is one of the quercifolias on which the foliage seems more important than the flowers.

I think there ought to be a hydrangea to suit everyone here.

And this lilac variety is a favourite of mine, partly for the colour but also the shape with large outer flowers circling the inner smaller ones. There must be a name for this type of plant, and at the annual open day there's a chance to ask, but this year that fell on a horribly wet day. so I didn't go along. Next year, maybe ...

Even if you're not interested in the intricacies of the plants themselves, it's a lovely spot to wander round or just sit in the sun.

The garden is open for another month or so, before closing for winter, and if you want to know more about the collection, or location, opening hours etc, check out Hydrangea Derby's website here