Melinda Myers

Bigleaf Hydrangea

Botanical Name

Hydrangea macrophylla

Hardiness

Zones 6 to 9

Height

3 to 4 feet

Width

4 to 6 feet

Flowers

Pink to blue - depending on pH, look of flower depends on cultivar

Light

Sun to part shade (best)

Soil

Moist, well-drained, organic

Planting & Care

• Blooms on previous season's growth
• If needed, prune immediately AFTER flowering by cutting back stems to a pair of healthy buds
• Prune out dead, weak or wayward stems in late winter or early spring
• Does not do well in hot dry conditions
• Moderately salt tolerant
• pH affects flower color
  • Blue in highly acidic soils
  • Lilac to pink in slightly acidic to alkaline soils
• Plants grown in Zone 5 should be grown in a sheltered location and provided additional winter protection to minimize the risk of loss of flower buds and die back due to harsh winter weather

Problems

Winter hardiness

Varieties

• All Summer Beauty - 3-4' tall and wide, blooms on new growth
• Endless Summer^TM - Zones 5 to 9, blooms on current seasons growth
• Twist and Shout – 3 to 4’ tall & wide, lace cap flowers on old and new wood