Uncommon herbaceous Chinese Hydrangea relative named for the distinctive cleft or bifid leaves.  Pale green foliage with terminal clusters of white flowers showing their affinity to Hydrangeas.  Dies to ground in winter.  Shade or morning sun and not too dry.

We've always regarded this herbaceous Hydrangea relative from Asia as one of the preeminent collector's plants for the shade garden.  From a woody rootstock each spring arises multiple stems holding textured rounded leaves tinged in soft purple edges with midsummer terminal clusters of lavender flowers possessing the most exquisite detail.

From manic hybridizer Darrell Probst comes this herbaceous Hydrangea relative.  Softer blue than D. caerulea but with leaves showing a distinct Camel Toe cleft attesting to D. bifida affinity.  (Had a friend who was Wardrobe Mstress for PNW Ballet and Camel Toes were her bane)