Hydrangea heteromalla is flowering on the lower edge of the Chinese hillside. The large panicles of brilliant white flowers are setting off the canopy under which it grows.

A mixture of the sterile and fertile flowers makes up the terminal floral cluster. The sterile flowers each have four pure white sepals these are on the outer edge surrounding the smaller fertile flowers.

A deciduous shrub reaching five metres within its native distribution of northern and western China. Found on mountain slopes at 2400 – 3400m. The leaves are distinctively veined and are attached to the shoot with a purple leaf stalk.

Hydrangea heteromalla. Photo by Tony Garn

Hydrangea heteromalla

Hydrangea heteromalla. Photo by Tony Garn

Hydrangea heteromalla

Hydrangea heteromalla. Photo by Tony Garn

Hydrangea heteromalla