Hydrangea are endemic to the woodlands of Eastern Asia and North and South America.
Classic mid-size hydrangea that sports sumptuous 4-6" red-purple flowers. The bushes are compact and will need very little pruning to keep in bounds. Don't cut off the mature flowers they fade to an attractive tan that harmonizes well with the green foliage and the purple new blossoms. Looks great alongside Heuchera or Nepeta.
| Plant Types: | Interior Plant, Perennial, Shrub |
| Light: | Shade to Full Sun |
| Height: | 3 feet to 4 feet |
| Width: | 6 feet |
| Zones: | 6a to 9b |
| Bloom Color: | Purple, Red |
| Bloom Seasons: | Early spring, Mid spring, Late spring, Early summer, Mid summer, Late summer |
| Special Features: | All or parts of this plant are poisonous, Not North American native |
| Shape: | Rounded |
| Type of Soil Preferred: | Acidic, Clay, Loamy, Neutral, Sandy, Well-Drained |
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Hydrangea should be planted in the spring, or from tip cuttings in late spring, or from hardwood cuttings in winter. Cultivars will not come true from seeds.
Hydrangeas can grow in a wide range of conditions. Protect them from cold drying winds.
Flowers bloom in the spring, often pink or blue, in clusters called flowerheads. A flowerhead contains small fertile flowers surrounded by 4-petalled sterile florets.
Hydrangea plants prefer ample moisture, with the pH depending on the cultivar. Species can become chlorotic if grown in alkaline soil.
Feed twice a year, once at the beginning of spring and once at the beginning of summer.
Most Hydrangea macrophyllas (excluding the Reblooming/Remontant varieties) produce flowers on the previous season's growth. Prune off last season's blooms to just above the first pair of buds. Once the plant is established and has reached a suitable size, cut back ¼ of the oldest shoots with blooms on them. This will promote replacement growth, but will maintain the size of the plant.
Prune annually in early to midspring.
Aphids and slugs can be a potential problem for Hydrangeas. Other issues include powdery mildew, ringspot virus, leaf spots, gray mold, and rust, all of which are quite common.