Hydrangea macrophylla
Hortensia hydrangea, Mophead hydrangea
- Height × spread
- 0.45m – 2.5m × 0.5m – 2.5m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Generally available in Spring, Summer & Autumn
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A garden favourite, mophead hydrangeas have large rounded or flat domed flowerheads in blue, pink, red or white which appear summer to autumn. The colour depends on soil type with some producing blue flowers on acidic soil or red/pink where soil is alkaline. There's one for every garden, coming in a range of sizes from large border specimens growing up to 2.5m tall, down to dwarf ones for pots.
- Flower colour
- Blue, Cream, Green, Lavender, Lilac, Mauve, Orange, Pink, Purple, Red, Rose, Violet, White
- Foliage colour
- Black, Blue, Green, Purple, White, Yellow
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, some varieties
- Shape
- Bell, Dome, Round
- Height
- 0.45m – 2.5m
- Spread
- 0.5m – 2.5m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Small scale garden, Shady court, Seaside garden, Scented garden, Prairie garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, likes part shade, likes light shade
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Wall cover, Screening, Structural, Architectural, Deer resistant, Rabbit resistant
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- Yes, some poisonous
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Prune old branches
On established shrubs, remove a third of the old branches to the base in early spring. Cut off old flower heads to a lower bud. This can be done every couple of years if the plant looks well-proportioned or is slow growing.
Summer
Summer - early · Outdoors
Apply slow release fertiliser
Apply a slow release fertiliser which is spread around the root area of the plants soon after they have come into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Found in
More Hydrangea
Hydrangea
Hydrangea 'Preziosa'
Common hydrangea
Hydrangea 'The Pink Annabelle'
The pink annabelle
Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris
Climbing Hydrangea
Hydrangea arborescens
Tree hydrangea
Hydrangea arborescens
Tree hydrangea
Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle'
Tree hydrangea
Hydrangea arborescens 'Hayes Starburst'
Tree hydrangea