'Joseph Banks' is born again!

What a change in the weather - a miserably wet and dank day today! It seems worse after the beautiful days we've had in the last few weeks!

This is Hydrangea macrophylla 'Ayesha', with the thick petalled flowers unique, I believe, in the genus. This one has a branch which has reverted to a normal white mophead, though it still has the blue central pip that 'Ayesha' does. 

'Ayesha' originated from Japan and is believed to be a sport of Hydrangea  'Joseph Banks.'   Hillier's Manual says " 'Joseph Banks' has very large heads which are cream at first, passing to pale pink or pale hyacinth blue. Said to be a branch sport of the wild Japanese type, introduced via China in 1789." 

This cream flower head could well be a reversion to 'Joseph Banks' - I must propagate from it!