Hydrangea macrophylla syn. Hydrangea hortensis; Hydrangea opuloides 'Fasan(Teller Red)'
Bigleaf Hydrangea, Florist's Hydrangea
Type Shrub, woody plant
Hardy range 5B to 9A
Height 6' to 8' / 1.80m to 2.40m
Spread 6' to 10' / 1.80m to 3.00m
Growth rate Average
Form Rounded
Exposure Full shade to partial sun
Persistence Deciduous
Bloom Color Red
Bloom Time Spring and Summer
Environment
This plant tolerates some drought and occasional wetness.
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 and variegated
Fall Color No change in fall color
This plant has attractive foliage.
Culture Notes
Hydrangea makes a nice accent in a shrub border or growing out of a ground cover. Hydrangea performs well in moist, rich garden soil in partial sun to fairly deep shade, where it can grow 6 to 8 feet tall. Although it is best to add lots of organic matter to the bed before planting, I (Dr. Lyons)have had great success with planting in a fine sand soil without amendments. Be sure that tree roots are not competing with the roots, since this will slow growth dramatically and minimize flowering. This plant is considered mostly allergy free and causes little or no allergy problems in most people.
Planting and establishing shrubs
The most common cause of young plant failure is planting too deep. Plant the root ball no deeper than it was in the nursery. In most instances, the root flare zone (point where the top-most root in the root ball originates from the trunk) should be located just above the landscape soil surface. Sometimes plants come from the nursery with soil over the root flare. If there is soil over this area, scrape it off. The planting hole should be at least twice the width of the root ball, preferably wider. In all but exceptional circumstances where the soil is very poor, there is no need to incorporate anything into the backfill soil except the loosened soil that came out of the planting hole. Never place ANY soil over the root ball. If a row or grouping of plants is to be installed, excavating or loosening the soil in the entire bed and incorporating organic matter enhances root growth and establishment rate.
Weed suppression during establishment is essential. Apply a 3-inch thick layer of mulch around the plant to help control weed growth. Keep it at least 10 inches from the trunk. If you apply it over the root ball, apply only a one or two inch layer. This allows rainwater and air to easily enter the root ball and keeps the trunk dry. Placing mulch against the trunk or applying too thick a layer above the root ball can kill the plant by oxygen starvation, death of bark, stem and root diseases, prevention of hardening off for winter, vole and other rodent damage to the trunk, keeping soil too wet, or repelling water. Regular irrigation through the first growing season after planting encourages rapid root growth, which is essential for quick plant establishment.
Crown, Branch and Twig
This plant is symmetrical with a coarse texture and has a moderately dense crown.
This plant's bark is not showy.
Branches or twigs have a thick and fibrous surface.
This plant is often grown with multiple trunks.
Native Habitat
Species native to Japan.
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