Bigleaf Hydrangea 'Beauté Vendômoise': Heirloom Lacecap with Many Names

Bigleaf Hydrangea 'Beauté Vendômoise': A Classic French Lacecap

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Beauté Vendômoise' (also known as 'Mariesii Grandiflora', 'Rosea', and 'Beauté Vendômoise') is an heirloom lacecap cultivar with a history spanning over a century. Its enduring popularity testifies to its garden worthiness and the timeless appeal of its graceful, flat-topped flower heads.

Graceful Inflorescences

The lacecaps are broad and elegant, 5–7 inches across, with a prominent central cluster of tiny fertile flowers that range from deep pink to blue-violet depending on soil pH. This central dome is encircled by a single row of large, showy sterile florets—typically pale pink to white, often with a deeper picotee edge. The overall effect is delicate and refined, reminiscent of a Victorian cameo.

The shrub forms a rounded, bushy plant 4–5 feet tall and wide, with healthy, deep green foliage.

Time-Tested Performance

This cultivar has been grown in European and American gardens since the late 1800s, valued for its reliability and graceful habit. It prefers the standard macrophylla conditions: morning sun or dappled shade, rich moist soil, USDA zones 6–9. Blooms on old wood. The many synonyms reflect its widespread cultivation and the confusion of early horticultural nomenclature.

Taxonomic Profile

• Family: Hydrangeaceae
• Genus: Hydrangea
• Species: macrophylla
• Cultivar: 'Beauté Vendômoise' (syn. 'Mariesii Grandiflora', 'Rosea')

Heritage Garden Star

'Beauté Vendômoise' is a perfect choice for heirloom gardens, cottage gardens, or any setting where a touch of horticultural history is desired. Its refined lacecaps complement old roses, peonies, and traditional perennials. A living link to the golden age of hydrangea breeding.