PlantFiles: Bigleaf Hydrangea, Lacecap
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Veitchii'

Planted 6 of these in fall 2009 in poor compacted soil and almost dense shade. Plants have responded well to these adverse conditions and bloomed every year. Sprawling habit not a problem.

I agree with notes posted by wooffi. Veitchii has a sprawling habit, which in the first 2 years looked a little sloppy. This is my plant's 3rd year, and I decided to plant some other smaller hydrangeas several feet out to so the base doesn't look quite so unruly. Foliage is a wonderful, rich dark green, and is highly frost and mildew resistant. Large white sepals are really striking against the blue fertile flowers and the dark foliage. Mature plant should reach at least 7'-8'.

Pretty large plant up 4 ft. Possibly crossed with H. macrophylla.
Pure white lacecap, with plue fertile centers. Early bloomer.
Does well in Southern heat an humid conditions.

From the sources "Hydrangeas for American Gardens," by Michael A. Dirr (2004), and "Encyclopedia of Hydrangeas" C.J. and D.M. Van Gelderen (2004 - Timber Press):

Considered one of the most beautiful, robust, and hardiest of lacecaps. Large shrub, about 5' and sometimes wider than tall. Flowerheads have many florets, white (aging to pink or green depending on shade), surrounding fertile flowers of pink or blue-purple. Gorgeous shrub. Dark green foliage is fairly frost tolerant and the plant has high mildew resistance. Grows in all kinds of conditions.