Deinanthe bifida BSWJ 5655

Deinanthe Hydrangeaceae

Deinanthe bifida BSWJ 5655 — the sort of plant that makes you wonder why Hydrangea gets all the attention. A choice Japanese member of the Hydrangeaceae, this collection from Bleddyn and Sue Wyn Jones (BSWJ 5655) is notable for its particularly pink flower buds, opening to white flowers with a lingering pink cast. Crûg Farm has listed the collection under the informal name ‘Pink-Shi’, alongside other selected forms of D. bifida. 

The deeply toothed leaves have the characteristic fish-tail split at the tip, giving the plant an unmistakable identity even when it is not flowering. In summer, branched clusters of substantial white flowers rise above the foliage, with prominent yellow stamens.  It makes a handsome, architectural clump for woodland or shaded borders and, unlike its reputation for delicacy might suggest, is the more vigorous and forgiving of the two true Deinanthe species, provided it has adequate summer moisture. 

A splendid plant for cool, humus-rich, moisture-retentive soil in partial shade, where its combination of curious foliage and hydrangea-like flowers is considerably more interesting than the usual woodland groundcover.

Flowering: June–August
Hardiness: H5, approximately –15 to –10°C
Height: 40–50cm
Spread: 40–50cm
Collection: BSWJ 5655, Bleddyn & Sue Wyn Jones
Selected form: Listed by Crûg Farm as ‘Pink-Shi’, distinguished by its pinker buds.