Bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla 'Mariesii Perfecta' BLUE WAVE)
Lacecap Bigleaf hydrangea, Hydrangea macrophylla 'Mariesii Perfecta' BLUE WAVE, offers blue summer blooms. Hardy in Zones 5-9, it needs part shade and medium water.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Mariesii Perfecta’ BLUE WAVE, commonly known as Bigleaf hydrangea, is celebrated among gardeners for its distinctive lacecap flower form and vibrant summer color display. This cultivar introduces elegance to the landscape with dark green foliage juxtaposed against long-blooming flowers that appear from July into August. A true highlight of this plant is its color sensitivity, allowing dedicated gardeners to manipulate the soil chemistry for specific aesthetic results.
This deciduous shrub maintains a pleasing, rounded habit, typically reaching 3 to 6 feet in height and spread. While it thrives in the reliability of consistent moisture, the Bigleaf hydrangea requires only a medium water regimen once established. Victor Lemoine first introduced this classic cultivar, also marketed widely as BLUE WAVE, over a century ago, confirming its lasting appeal in garden design.
For optimal performance of your Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Mariesii Perfecta’ BLUE WAVE, aim for a location offering partial shade protected from harsh afternoon sun. Its reliability across USDA Zones 5 through 9 makes it a versatile choice, though Zone 5 growers must pay special attention to winter bud protection to ensure the best possible bloom display the following summer.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Hydrangeaceae
- Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 3-6 ft
- Spread: 3-6 ft
- Bloom Time: July to August
- Bloom Description: Blue (acid soils), lilac to pink (alkaline soil)
- Sun Exposure: Part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
The best success for your Bigleaf hydrangea involves planting in rich, well-drained soil with consistent medium moisture. While these shrubs prefer part shade, they can handle full sun provided the soil moisture is never allowed to dry out. Timing is important: plant in spring or early autumn when temperatures are moderate.
Watering should remain consistent, especially during dry spells, as the genus name Hydrangea references water. Soil pH management is crucial for achieving the signature blue flowers associated with Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Mariesii Perfecta’ BLUE WAVE; use aluminum sulfate for bluer tones or lime to encourage pinks, beginning these soil treatments in late autumn or early spring before bud set.
Pruning is generally minimal. If pruning is necessary, perform it immediately after the current flowers fade by cutting the stems back to a pair of healthy buds. In late winter or early spring, remove any weak or winter-damaged wood. Mulching with 3 inches of shredded bark or compost annually helps retain soil moisture and buffers winter temperatures.
For gardeners in Zone 5, extra winter protection is advised to safeguard tender flower buds from extreme cold or rapid temperature swings. While measures like burlap wrapping are cumbersome, they can prevent the loss of next season’s bloom potential, a risk common to many bigleaf hydrangeas regardless of protection efforts.
Landscape Uses
The stature and dependable bloom period of Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Mariesii Perfecta’ BLUE WAVE make it highly adaptable in landscape design. It serves beautifully as a recurring element: use it for grouping or mass planting within a mixed shrub border to create a solid backdrop of summer color.
Given its 3-to-6-foot spread, this Bigleaf hydrangea is also an excellent specimen plant when placed near patios or entryways where its lacecap blooms can be best admired up close. It functions well as informal hedging, softening hard structural lines in the garden architecture. Furthermore, this cultivar performs admirably when grown in large containers, allowing flexibility in patio design, though container plants require more diligent watering.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Hydrangea macrophylla, commonly called big leaf hydrangea, is a deciduous shrub with a rounded habit that, in the St. Louis area, typically grows 3-6’ tall and as wide unless damaged by harsh winters or pruned smaller. It generally features serrate, obovate to elliptic, dark green leaves (4-8” long) and large clusters of long-blooming summer flowers in either lacecap form (flattened flower clusters of small fertile florets with scattered showy sterile florets often forming a marginal ring) or mophead form (globose flower clusters of mostly showy sterile florets). The genus name Hydrangea comes from hydor meaning “water” and aggeion meaning “vessel”, in reference to the cup-like capsular fruit. Specific epithet comes from the Greek words makros meaning large and phyllon meaning leaf in reference to plant leaves. ‘Mariesii Perfecta’ is a lacecap cultivar that features rich blue flowers. This cultivar was first introduced into commerce in 1904 by Victor Lemoine. It is synonymous with and has been marketed under the trade name of BLUE WAVE. Blooms in July for up to two months.
Tolerances
No specific tolerances were listed for this variety beyond the cultural requirements mentioned in the culture notes.
Potential Problems
Bigleaf hydrangeas like Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Mariesii Perfecta’ BLUE WAVE show some susceptibility to common issues, including bud blight, bacterial wilt, leaf spot, and mildew. Regular monitoring allows for early intervention. For instance, improving air circulation through proper spacing or pruning can help prevent fungal issues like mildew.
Insect pests are usually minor, though aphids are occasional visitors. If you notice aphid clusters forming, treatment with insecticidal soap or a strong spray of water is often highly effective in controlling the population without resorting to harsh chemicals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Bigleaf hydrangea suitable for?
Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Mariesii Perfecta’ BLUE WAVE is generally hardy and adaptable across USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 9.
How large does Bigleaf hydrangea grow?
This deciduous shrub typically matures to a height between 3 to 6 feet and spreads to a comparable width of 3 to 6 feet, though pruning or winter damage may affect final size.
When does Bigleaf hydrangea bloom?
The striking lacecap flowers of this variety usually appear in July and can continue to grace the garden through August, displaying blue in acid soils.
What sun exposure does Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Mariesii Perfecta’ BLUE WAVE need?
This plant prefers a location receiving part shade, although it can tolerate more sun if consistent, medium soil moisture is maintained throughout the growing season.
Conclusion
The Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Mariesii Perfecta’ BLUE WAVE offers reliable, colorful summer interest with its unique lacecap blooms, making it a staple for shaded garden areas. For gardeners seeking control over flower color, its reactivity to soil pH offers a rewarding horticultural challenge, enhancing the beauty of this Bigleaf hydrangea. Be sure to check your local hardiness zone compatibility and plan for soil preparation this fall or next spring to secure those desired deep blue hues.
Companion Planting
When designing a space for your Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Mariesii Perfecta’ BLUE WAVE, consider pairing it with plants that share its preference for part shade and consistent moisture. Hostas are classic companions, offering contrasting leaf texture and color near the base of the shrub. Astilbes thrive in similar conditions, providing a delicate textural contrast through their airy plumes, often blooming slightly before or after the hydrangea.
For foundation plantings, low-growing evergreen groundcovers like Vinca minor or Pachysandra terminalis can create a neat, weed-suppressing carpet beneath the canopy, while reflecting the medium water needs of the Bigleaf hydrangea. Avoid planting thirsty, shallow-rooted annuals or perennials right at the drip line, as they may compete too aggressively for the water the hydrangea needs to support its large leaves and consistent flowering.
Seasonal Care Calendar
Late Winter/Early Spring: This is the ideal time to assess for winter damage. Prune out cleanly any stems that appear dead or weak back to the base or to a strong set of healthy buds. Begin applying soil amendments like aluminum sulfate now if your goal is intensely blue flowers. Apply a fresh layer of mulch to help cool the roots.
Late Spring/Early Summer: Focus intensely on consistent watering, especially as temperatures rise, to support the emerging flower buds of your Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Mariesii Perfecta’ BLUE WAVE. Monitor leaf surfaces for early signs of mildew or inspect undersides for aphids before populations explode.
Mid-to-Late Summer (Bloom Time): Enjoy the July and August blooms. If you wish to deadhead spent flowers, do so immediately after they fade to encourage any possible second flush of blooms, pruning only back to the first set of healthy leaves/buds beneath the spent flower head.
Fall Season: Reduce watering frequency slowly as the plant enters dormancy. This is the last chance to make significant soil pH adjustments, as treatments applied in autumn have the entire winter to stabilize before the next growing season begins.
