Bigleaf Hydrangea 'Lilacina': Heirloom Lacecap with Soft Lavender Tones

Bigleaf Hydrangea 'Lilacina': Vintage Lacecap in Pastel Hues

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Lilacina' (sometimes listed as 'Mariesii Lilacina', considered an invalid name) is an heirloom lacecap cultivar cherished for its soft, lavender-pink fertile flowers and the delicate, antique quality of its blooms. A relic of early 20th-century hydrangea breeding, it retains a quiet charm that modern cultivars often lack.

Subtle Color Harmony

The lacecap inflorescences are 5–7 inches across, with a prominent central dome of tiny fertile flowers in a distinctive soft lilac-lavender shade (in acidic soil; pink in alkaline). This pastel center is surrounded by a ring of large, pale pink to white sterile florets, often with a slightly deeper picotee edge. The overall color scheme is gentle and harmonious—reminiscent of vintage watercolors.

The shrub forms a graceful, rounded plant 4–5 feet tall and wide, with the typical large, serrated macrophylla leaves.

Historical Context

'Lilacina' represents the "Mariesii" type lacecaps—early selections from Japan that formed the foundation of Western hydrangea breeding. The name 'Mariesii Lilacina' is considered botanically invalid (a cultivar name in Latin form post-1959), but persists in horticultural literature. Standard culture: morning shade, moist soil, zones 6–9. Blooms on old wood.

Taxonomic Profile

• Family: Hydrangeaceae
• Genus: Hydrangea
• Species: macrophylla
• Cultivar: 'Lilacina' (syn. 'Mariesii Lilacina' - invalid)

Cottage Garden Grace

The soft, romantic hues of 'Lilacina' make it a natural companion for old roses, peonies, foxgloves, and other cottage garden classics. Its gentle presence suits informal borders, woodland edges, and heritage gardens. A cultivar that whispers rather than shouts, rewarding the patient observer with understated beauty.