Hydrangea Macrophylla Hydrangea macrophylla is a species of flowering plant in the family Hydrangeaceae, native to Japan. It is a deciduous shrub growing to 2 m (7 ft) tall by 2.5 m (8 ft) broad with large heads of flowers in summer and autumn and also features elliptic and obovate dark green leaves which can grow up to 20cm in length. Commonly known as the ?Mophead? hydrangea or ?bigleaf? hydrangea. Best grown in rich, medium moisture, well-drained soils in part shade. Tolerates full sun only if grown in consistently moist soils. Soil pH affects the flower colour of most except white (blue in highly acidic soils and lilac to pink in slightly acidic to alkaline soils) Plants generally need little pruning. If needed, prune immediately after flowering by cutting back flowering stems to a pair of healthy buds.