Mariesii Perfecta' is a small deciduous shrub with glossy dark green leaves and flattened heads of rich blue, mauve or lilac-blue, fertile flowers in acidic or neutral soils or pink fertile flowers in alkaline soils, appearing from July to August. Growing Details Common Name:'Mariesii Perfecta' Genus: Hydrangea Species: Macrophylla Skill Level: Beginner Exposure: Full sun,/Partial shade Hardiness: H5 Soil type: Moist/Well-drained/Loam, clay, sand/Humus rich/acidic, neutral, alkaline Height: 1-1.5m Spread: 1-1.5m Description This hydrangea is deciduous so will begin to change the leaf colour in September ready for all the leaves to fall off and then new foliage will grow in Springtime. Colours & Soil Acidity: In most species the flowers are white, but in some species (notably H. macrophylla), can be blue, red, pink, light purple, or dark purple. In these species the colour is affected by soil pH. For H. macrophylla and H. serrata cultivars, the flower colour can be determined by the relative acidity of the soil. Hydrangea flowers are blue in acidic soil with a pH of 5.5 or lower. The more alkaline the soil, the pinker the flowers will be. Weather can influence the color of hydrangea leaves, causing large areas of purple discoloration. Cool weather near the end of the growing season may trigger the plant's dormancy early, allowing the purple leaf color to show through as the green chlorophyll factories shut down for the season.