Species bigleaf hydrangea
Bigleaf Hydrangea macrophylla- Round clusters of blue flowers and glossy green leaves atop slender stems

bigleaf hydrangea

Hydrangea macrophylla

Bigleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) is a popular deciduous shrub known for its large, showy flower clusters and attractive green leaves. It produces flowers in shades of pink and blue, depending on the soil pH. The multiple flowers open in spring, sometimes lasting up to 8 weeks. Bigleaf Hydrangea prefers moist soils and shade, making it ideal for woodland gardens or as a foundation planting. Drought-tolerant once established, these hydrangeas require little maintenance, with pruning only recommended to control size and shape.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Greenwood Cuttings,Hardwood Cuttings,Stem Propagation,Cutting

Hardiness Zone:

6 - 9

Flowers:

Pink to blue Flowers In Summer

Sun:

Deep shade, Filtered shade, Part sun/part shade

Soil:

Acidic, Alkaline, Well-drained

Fruits:

brown Fruits Ready In Summer

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

Moderate

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Bigleaf hydrangeas should be watered deeply and infrequently throughout their growing season. Water thoroughly once a week in the morning, ensuring the soil is moist and not soggy. During extremely hot periods, however, they may need to be watered every 4-5 days. During winter, if the soil is frozen, hold off on watering until it has thawed. When watering, soak the ground around the roots until it begins to drip from the bottom of the pot; this will ensure they get enough moisture. Avoid overhead watering as it may result in fungal diseases.

sunlight

Bigleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) thrive in bright, indirect sunlight for a minimum of 4 hours every day. They prefer morning sun and should be protected from intense afternoon sun, as the extra heat and light can stress the plant and hurt its growth. To ensure your bigleaf hydrangea gets the sunshine it needs for optimal growth, plant it somewhere that gets direct sunlight in the morning but is shaded during the hottest part of the day.

pruning

Bigleaf Hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) should be pruned once during the late fall or early winter months. Immediately after flowering, prune out any spent blooms and dead, diseased or crossing branches. This pruning should be light and done judiciously. Depending on the size and age of your hydrangea, it is often best to simply remove any old woodiness and/or shape the bush. Heavy pruning should be avoided as Bigleaf Hydrangeas tend to bloom on year-old wood.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Harvest Fruit

The best time to start harvesting the fruits from Hydrangea macrophylla is usually in late summer or early fall, typically between August and October.

Starts Flowering

Bigleaf hydrangeas typically start flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Starts Flowering

Bigleaf hydrangeas typically start flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Harvest Fruit

The best time to start harvesting the fruits from Hydrangea macrophylla is usually in late summer or early fall, typically between August and October.

Hardiness Map