Hydrangea aspera ‘Hot Chocolate’

A lovely shrub with large striking pink/violet lacecap flowers upto 20-30cm across and interesting peeling winter bark. Chocolate brown foliage. The plant becomes as mass of flws in July often continuing into Sept. Leaves open in spring dark chocolate brown, eventually becoming dark green with wine red undersides and making an ideal foil for the flws. Foliage changes to amberish yellow with orange hints in autumn. Ht 6ft (1.8m). Best in light shade in well-drained soil, and is unusual amongst hydrangeas in growing well on chalk; wet soil should be avoided.