Photograph coming soon
Hydrangea aspera 'Hot Chocolate'
Shrubs
Hydrangea aspera 'Hot Chocolate'
Rough-leaved hydrangea
Velvety leaves with chocolate-purple undersides and lilac lacecap flowers in summer.
Chocolate-backed velvety leaves
Lilac lacecap flowers
Bold texture
Good in partial shade
Please check before you visit. Our nursery is very well stocked, but what we hold changes with the seasons, so this plant may not always be in stock. Enquire before you head over and we will check availability and the sizes we have for you.
At a glance
Type
Shrub
Foliage
Deciduous
Seasons of interest
Summer flowers, bold foliage
Eventual size
Typically 2 m
Position
Partial shade
Soil
Moist, well-drained
Hardiness
Fully hardy in the UK
Available
A range of sizes. Ask our team for current availability and pricing.
Why we love it
Its rich, chocolate-toned foliage is a feature in its own right.
Hydrangeas are among the most reliable shrubs for long summer colour.
How to use it
Use in borders, under trees, in pots or as informal hedging.
Planting and aftercare
Plant in autumn or spring in partial shade and moist soil. Very little pruning is needed; remove spent heads in spring.
See it in person
Every plant at Form is hand-selected, none contains new peat, and nothing beats choosing yours by eye. Visit our Row Town showroom in Surrey, just 30 minutes from London, where our team will show you the best of what is on the nursery right now. We deliver across London, Surrey and the Home Counties, and nationwide.
Walk in any time during opening hours and you will be looked after. If you would like dedicated time with a specialist, book a Genus Bar appointment.
Frequently asked questions
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Yes, it is happiest in dappled shade.
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We keep a very well-stocked nursery, but our stock changes with the seasons, so availability varies. Please email us before you visit and we will check what we have and the sizes available.
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We supply shrubs from smaller pots for mass planting through to 10 litre plants and larger specimens for instant impact. Ask our team for current sizes.
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Yes. Visit our Row Town showroom, or collect from our Burrow Hill cash and carry in Chobham (please call before visiting). You can also book a Genus Bar appointment.
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Yes, we deliver nationwide with our own in-house team, including across London and the Home Counties.
All our shrubs
Explore every option in our shrubs collection, or view them all with photographs →
Hydrangea aspera 'Hot Chocolate'
Can’t see what you’re looking for?
Get in touch and we’ll help you find it. Our nursery is very well stocked and we can source almost any plant through our network of trusted growers. Email info@formplants.com, or send us your whole plant list through our bespoke sourcing service.