hydrangea 'Messalina'

Grow in moist but well-drained, humus rich soil, in a lightly shaded spot with shelter from cold, drying winds. Mulch annually in spring. Pink flower colours are best maintained by growing in slightly alkaline soil, though plants may become chlorotic in strongly alkaline soils. See hydrangea cultivation for more detailed advice

See pruning group 4 (hydrangeas)

Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer, or by hardwood cuttings in winter

May be susceptible to aphids, capsid bug, red spider mite, stem and bulb eelworm, vine weevil and scale insects

May be susceptible to honey fungus, grey moulds, powdery mildews, leaf spot and virus diseases