Deciduous Shrub Of The Day

Hydrangea macrophylla syn. Hydrangea hortensis; Hydrangea opuloides 'La France'

Bigleaf Hydrangea, Florist's Hydrangea

Type Shrub, woody plant

Hardy range 5B to 9A

Height 4' to 6' / 1.20m to 1.80m

Spread 6' to 8' / 1.80m to 2.40m

Growth rate Average

Form Rounded

Exposure Full shade to partial sun

Persistence Deciduous

Bloom Color Blue, lavender and purple

Bloom Time Spring and Summer

The flowers are very showy.

Environment
This plant tolerates some drought, occasional wetness and some salt.
This plant will grow in dry to occasionally wet soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to slightly alkaline (less than 6.8 to 7.7) soil.

Leaf Color Green
Fall Color No change in fall color

Culture Notes
Since the deciduous Bigleaf Hydrangea blooms on large buds formed on previous season's growth, any pruning should be done immediately after flowering. Cultivars are available in shades or pink, white and blue. Long popular as a florist's plant, Bigleaf Hydrangea performs well in moist, rich garden soil in partial sun to fairly deep shade, where it can grow 4 to 8 feet tall. Be sure that tree roots are not competing with the roots, since this will slow growth dramatically. Flowers are bluish in acid soil, pink in neutral.
Colors indicated for blue cultivars are for acid soil conditions; they appear pink or lavender in neutral or alkaline soil.


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