Hydrangea aspera 'Hot Chocolate' (Rough-leaved hydrangea 'Hot Chocolate')

Botanical name

Hydrangea aspera 'Hot Chocolate'

Other names

Rough-leaved hydrangea 'Hot Chocolate', Hydrangea aspera 'Hpopr012'

Genus

Hydrangea Hydrangea

Variety or Cultivar

'Hot Chocolate' _ 'Hot Chocolate' is an upright, bushy, deciduous shrub with lance-shaped to narrowly ovate, velvety, purple-flushed, dark green leaves, reddish-purple beneath, and flattened clusters of violet-blue buds open to pink flowers from midsummer to early autumn.

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Upright, Bushy

Toxicity

Can cause mild stomach upset if ingested and contact with foliage may aggravate skin allergies.

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Colour

Flower

Pink in Summer; Pink in Autumn

Foliage

Dark-green, Flushed purple in Spring; Dark-green, Flushed purple in Summer; Flushed purple, Dark-green in Autumn

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Capsid bug , Glasshouse red spider mite , Hydrangea scale

Diseases

Generally Disease Free

General care

Pruning

Pruning group 1 or 4.

Propagation methods

Softwood cuttings

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Hydrangea aspera 'Hot Chocolate' (Rough-leaved hydrangea 'Hot Chocolate') will reach a height of 4m and a spread of 4m after 5-10 years.

Suggested uses

Beds and borders, Flower Arranging, Cottage/Informal, City, Low Maintenance, Containers

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Will perform best with afternoon shade. Flowers may scorch in full sun. Do not allow to dry out.

Soil type

Clay, Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade, Full Sun

Aspect

North, South, East, West

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4), Tender in frost (H3)

USDA zones

Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Hydrangea aspera 'Hot Chocolate' (Rough-leaved hydrangea 'Hot Chocolate')

Common pest name

assam thrips; castor thrips; chilli thrips; yellow tea thrips

Scientific pest name

Scirtothrips dorsalis

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

EU listed pest for citrus but highly polyphagous and intercepted on a number of hosts. EU legislation should be updated to reflect wider host list.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Hydrangea aspera 'Hot Chocolate' (Rough-leaved hydrangea 'Hot Chocolate')

Common pest name

Rice leaf nematode; Strawberry crimp disease nematode; White tip nematode; White tip nematode of rice

Scientific pest name

Aphelenchoides besseyi

Type

Nematode

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Damaging nematode affecting rice crops and strawberry production in warmer climates; could potentially present a threat to strawberry production and ornamental production in protected environments. But modern production practices seem to reduce likelihood of impacts. Pest is also regulated at EU level; which reduces likelihood of entry.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/