This is one of the lacecap hydrangeas, with flat, deep blue outer flowers and contrasting little icing sugar coloured buds towards the centres. It grows nice and compact, so the flowers, produced over a long period in summer, are at the right height for maximum enjoyment, unlike some of the old hydrangea varieties which tended to have their best blooms at head height.

This compact nature makes Hydrangea ‘Nightengale’ superb for the foreground of shrub borders and as a low hedge within the garden - the sort of hedge you plant for fun, to define a garden bed or edge a driveway. Although it loses its leaves in winter, which might seem a disadvantage for an ornamental hedge, the brown stems of pruned hydrangeas are quite attractive during this bare stage.

Hydrangea ‘Nightengale’ is a shrub which mixes well with all sorts of colourful flowers and foliage plants. It will grow in sun or light shade, so there are many options when it comes to plant combinations, but it should be remembered that Hydrangeas need good soil which doesn’t dry out to be at their best. Apart from that they are easy care shrubs. Where there’s a little shade, you can create a stunning silver and blue theme by surrounding Hydrangea ‘Nightengale’ with blue-grey foliage Hostas, the new and exciting perennial Brunnera ‘Jack Frost’ which has handsome silver foliage throughout summer, blue flowered Corydalis varieties, cream and green striped grass Liriope ‘Silver Ribbon’ and the new, silvery foliaged Euphorbia ‘Silver Swan’ which will grow in sun or light shade. If that’s too fussy and all you want is a very easy care, all-summer show of flowers, the solution is to plant a collection of modern, compact growing Hydrangea varieties. They will provide months of pleasure and you will be able to place some comfy garden chairs or a hammock beside them, put your feet up, and enjoy.