Hydrangea macrophylla 'Mme. Emile Mouillere' (bigleaf hydrangea)
This white mophead reminds me of when an owner looks like their dog; in this case it's how the serrations on the sterile floret sepals match the serrations on the leaves - they are both accentuated on Mme. Emile Mouillere - really ruffly and busy. I like it. It's a little fussy and old-fashioned looking.
There aren't too many white mopheads in circulation, and they all are truly different from each other. Once you learn this one, bingo, every time you see it (which won't be too often) you'll probably exclaim verbatim, "look, that's Madame Emile Mouillere white mophead hydrangea!" Or something very close to that mouthful.
She's free flowering, which is another way of saying Madame sure does flower a long time (without being truly remontant).
It was pointed out to us that the sterile floret centers ("eyes") turn blue in acid and pink in alkaline soils. In the picture, the flowers are just opening and the centers are green.
Similar to the eyes, flowers age a pale blue tint or a pale pink tint, depending on soil pH. We've included two pictures that show this lovely pink or blue tinting. In our experience, the white phase lasts several weeks, eventually tinting as described.
Our other white mophead is Queen of Pearls.
- free flowering - meaning it will flower for a long period and produce new flowers, while not being truly remontant
- single specimen and accent use
- large container use
- grouping and massing - large swaths
- flower and shrub borders
- tolerant of salt spray so great for maritime climates
- heat tolerant
- cut flowers
- long flowering period
- Spring: medium green
- Summer: medium green
- Fall: red, orange
Yes, I've come to the conclusion that Hydrangeas don't like to have their flower color profiled and clinically categorized like we humans try to do to everyone and everything. Please keep in mind that flower color varies widly and wildly depending on soil pH and the amount of aluminum actually in your soil, the amount of time aluminum has been availalbe to the plant (did you add Al only last month?), the unique propensity of how each cultivar reacts to Al, and if the flower heads get a touch of sunshine as they age.
The flower color is not as you described, it seems darker to me.
Same issues as when it's paler; say after me, "a-lum-i-num-a-vail-a-bil-i-ty plus time plus cultivar plus a touch of sunshine."
This is science for sure, but also a whole lot of art. Enjoy the outcome Mother Nature deals!