Hydrangea aspera is a deciduous shrub or small tree with an upright habit and large dark green leaves that have a velvety texture.
It bears large, flattened heads of blue or white lacecap-like flowers in summer.
An interesting feature of this shrub is that it bears both purple and white flowers on the same plant at the same time.
The flower colour is determined by its position on the plant with those appearing in the centre of the bush being purple and white flowers on the outside.