"Red Sensation" is the most successful of several newer hybrids with truly red flowers. Others are simply darker pink, but this one opens its flowers red. As the season progresses, the flowers evolve to purplish red for fall. These famous shrubs are not small, usually four feet or more high with a similar spread, so give them room. "Red Sensation" is a stunning, newer member of the group called "Mophead" hydrangeas, from the species H. macrophylla which is well-known for compact, not rangy plants. But of course, the best thing about them are the colors.
"Red Sensation" is just that, a spectacular departure from the more common pink or blue, and the red color is bred into the plant. However, like all hydrangeas, the colors may vary a bit once you plant it. For complete information on this group of plants and how to "change the color", there's a great website called HydrangeasHydrangeas.com where you can read all about it. Click here.
About Hydrangeas: These popular shrubs, also called "Hortensia," all have rounded flower clusters that persist through summer and fall. There are several types, since there are several species of the plant the hybridizers work with:
H. macrophylla or "French" Hydrangeas. These, the most popular, form non-rangy, attractive shrubs about 4 to 6 ft. tall, and are famed for their big, colorful ball-like flowers, usually blue or pink. The popular group here is called "Mophead" hydrangeas. Artificially shortened versions are sold in pots on Easter and Mother's Day, and the blooms are florist's favorites, always popular for wedding decorations. In addition to the "mopheads" (solid ball of flowers), there are also "lacecap" versions of these hydrangeas. (H. macrophylla is native to the Far East.)
H. arborescens, a US native, includes the widely-planted, "Annabelle." Much like the "Mopheads", Annabelle is a shorter hydrangea with huge rounded flower clusters in pure white. This is the one famous for flowers so large they often weigh down the branches, needing special support.
H. paniculata, is a larger species, much taller than the "Mopheads". The flower clusters are more cone-shaped, rather than round. The plant in this group is more rangy than the shorter types, but can be controlled by pruning. The famous "Pee Gee" hydrangea, often grown as a small tree is in this group, and was imported from Japan in the late 19th century. There are also newer H. paniculata hybrids, including the beautiful greenish-flowered one called "Limelight."
Other Types: There are several other important hydrangeas. The tall native "Oakleaf" hydrangea (sometimes considered a small tree) is also a variety of the species, H. paniculata.
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Product Details:
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Botanical Name: Hydrangea macrophylla
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Common Name: Red Sensation Hydrangea
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Type: Rounded deciduous broadleaf shrub
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Color: Reblooming, red blooms fade to purple with burgundy red stems.
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Bloom Time: Blooms on new wood from early summer until fall
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Soil Preferences: Does best in well-drained soil with good organic matter; prefers slightly acidic soil; avoid heavy clay with poor drainage. Do not let soil dry out.
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Zones: 4-8 (In colder climates, plant in a south facing, wind protected area.)
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How To Grow It: To plant, dig a hole twice the size of the rootball. Remove container, loosen roots to stimulate growth, then backfill with a good outdoor garden mix. Water deeply and regularly during the first year. Mulch to retain moisture. Feed with an all purpose fertilizer in early spring and again in late summer, following application instructions. Prune after blooms are finished.
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