Sumptous

[JohnH]

I wish I could grow aspera here (S.Yorkshire), I am afraid they get hammered by late frosts and never recover.

I know they are not difficult or particularly trendy plants, but I do love the autumn colour of H. quercifolia. I have a couple of varieties that blend nicely into the background for most of the year, although perhaps a little shy flowering, but at the moment they look amazing. The purples, plums, greys and crimson colours persist well after Christmas, and for the last couple of years have strangely stayed evergreen (or should that be ever red :roll: ) until spring.

[MartinNicklin]

My wonderful quercifolia Snowflake remained evergreen in less harsh winters and I agree often had marvellous leaf colour. I love the plant. I would like to get the cultivar Tara which looks very nice. TBH there are very few hydrangeas I dislike, if any.
PS just found Tara at half price on Sarah Raven. Ordered it, so it will be interesting to see the quality of the plant. I've never ordered anything from there before, having been put off by several years of atrocious reviews ... we will see!