About
In summer, loose lace-cap type flower heads open to clusters of bright pink to ruby-red fertile flowers with paler centres. A deciduous shrub to 60cm high, with narrowly ovate, serrated leaves that are flushed with pink, turning to white and green. Flower colour may be more violet in acidic soils.
About the genus
Hydrangea can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs, or self-clinging climbers, with flowers in clusters usually comprising both small fertile and more showy sterile flowers; often good autumn colour
Growing conditions
SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, North-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants
ToxicitySkin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets (dogs, cats): Harmful if eaten. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Care notes
CultivationGrow in any moist but well-drained soil in partial shade or grow in sun if soil remains reliably moist. Improve chalky soils with organic matter to support good growth. See shrubby hydrangea cultivation for further advice
PruningSee pruning group 4 (hydrangeas)
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings in early summer, or by hardwood cuttings in winter
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, capsid bug, red spider mite, stem and bulb eelworm, vine weevil and scale insects
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to a leaf spot, powdery mildews, grey moulds (Botrytis) and honey fungus (rarely)