Lady in Red Hydrangea

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Lady in Red' Lady in Red Hydrangea is remarkably beautiful throughout the growing season. In early summer, blooms open pinkish-white to bluish-white depending on soil pH, then matures to a lush burgundy rose. The red veins, petioles and stems carry the color theme through the warmest summer months. In autumn the leaves develop a rich reddish-purple to maroon color. Highly resistant to mildew. BEFORE PLANTING: Keep in mind how big the shrub will be at maturity. Space your shrub away from your home a little over 1/2 the spread length. For instance: if your mature spread is 6' then plant it (at least) 4' from the base of your home. Deer Resistant PRUNING HYDRANGEA MACROPHYLLA: Bigleaf hydrangeas set their flower buds at the ends of the upright or lateral branches, during late summer to early fall. Pruning Bigleaf hydrangea in the spring or even late fall, after the buds have been set, will remove the flower buds and any chance of getting flowers that season. Bigleaf hydrangea should be pruned as soon as the flowers have faded. You should begin to see new growth coming in from the base of the plant, about this time. To keep the plant vigorous, selectively prune out the dead and weaker stems, both old and new. Don’t prune out all the old wood, since this is what will keep flowering as the new growth matures. Bigleaf hydrangeas are the variety most susceptible to winter bud injury. Photo courtesy of Toms Creek Nursery in Denton, NC Ornamental Characteristics Category Flowering Shrub Foilage Type Deciduous Height 2' - 4' Spread 4' - 8' Shape Mounding Primary Foilage Color Green (Big Leaf) Seasonal Foilage Color Sheds leaves during colder months Flowering Season Spring and summer Flower Color Red Showy Specimen Oh yes! Environmental Characteristics Growth Rate Moderate Sun Preference Partial Shade Water Preferences Average - Prepare planting area for adequate drainage. Poor drainage results in root rot. Cold Hardiness Zone 5 - 9 x