The Stunning Hydrangea Variety That Adds Gothic Moodiness To Your Garden

If it feels like Hydrangea macrophylla are popping up in gardens everywhere you look, you're not imagining things. These lush, colorful blooms are proving to be perennially popular — so much so that nearly 10 million of them are sold annually. While there are plenty of soft blue, purple, and pink hydrangea varieties to dream of having in your garden, if you're hoping to transform your yard into a haunting oasis with goth garden ideas, you might be surprised to learn that darker-hued hydrangeas are also an option. Enter: the Eclipse hydrangea.

Also known as Hydrangea macrophylla 'Bailmacseven', the Eclipse hydrangea is a patented plant cultivated by First Editions. This plant has been ten years in the making and is a true standout in the world of blooms. As the first genuine dark-leaf mophead hydrangea, it features dramatic, deep purple foliage accented by cranberry-green undertones. The shrub is so striking that it even earned the coveted title of Best New Plant at the 2024 BBC Gardeners' World Live event in the UK, with judges praising its vibrant colors and impressively disease-resistant leaves.

While these pretty blooms may look like a high-maintenance plant, learning how to grow and take care of hydrangeas is actually pretty simple, even for Eclipse. The Eclipse hydrangea thrives in USDA Hardiness zones 5 to 9. This means it won't quite make it through cold winters in states like North Dakota or Montana, but it will work wonderfully in milder climates to the south. For those who can plant it (lucky you), be sure to do so in a partly shaded area of your garden that gets morning sunlight. Give this beauty plenty of room too, as it can grow up to five feet tall and wide.

These gorgeously gothic bushes typically appear in early summer, with the first flowers visible from mid-June through to late August. Like other bigleaf hydrangeas, Eclipse blooms on the previous year's growth, so it's important to be mindful where you prune at the end of the season as you could be cutting off next year's flowers. For a burst of cranberry-colored flowers that only gets better each summer, plant these hydrangeas in well-draining soil during early fall, as this gives the roots time to settle in before winter. Keep them happy with regular watering, especially during any hot, dry stretches to ensure they thrive year after year.