Strawberry Sundae Hydrangea

 COMMON NAME: Hydrangea

It's easy to fit this sweet treat into the garden. Growing just 4-5' tall with a 3-4' spread, this compact hydrangea bursts with beautiful bloom color from summer until fall. Flowers begin creamy white and then add depth and intrigue by deepening to light pink and then finally strawberry red. It's a great choice for small gardens. The flower panicles also look outstanding in floral arrangements. This versatile variety will thrive in most gardens.

CHARACTERISTICS

• Garden Height: 4-5 feet
• Garden Width (Spread): 3-4 feet
• Bloom Color: White to pink to red
• Bloom Time: June - September
• Light Requirements: Part Shade 
• Soil Preferences: Well-drained Soil
• Zones: 4 - 9

Maintenance Notes: 

Mid-Spring: Prune out any dead wood from all varieties. Check soil pH and adjust up or down if needed for desired flower color. Feed plants with a fertilizer high in phosphorus (such as 15-30-15) to encourage blooms. Complete any transplanting before the leaves unfurl. Mulch plants after the soil has warmed to conserve moisture and buffer soil temperatures. Watch for powdery mildew and treat as needed.

Fall: Remove and destroy any fallen foliage that was infected by powdery mildew. In Zone 5, cover the stems with a 12” layer of organic material such as straw or mulched leaves to help flower buds overwinter. You may also wrap your Hydrangea with burlap to protect it from winds and cold temperatures.