Bigleaf Hydrangea, French Hydrangea, Mophead 'Admiration'

As per description in the Encyclopedia of Hydrangeas (2004 - Timber Press), "A large-leafed shrub. Flowerheads compact, crimson or blue....Read More According to Krussmann (1976-1978), this cultivar was introduced by Draps-Dom in 1950, not by Cayeux in 1932. Dussine (Alain Dussine. 2001 Le Monde des Hortensias. Rodez, France) states that the two are different plants."

The cultivar bred by Henri Cayeux of France in 1932 appears in a photograph in the encyclopedia and appears to have a compact bloom that may age from pink to red to deep green with red edging. Very beautiful. No hardiness zone is given.