{"product_id":"hydrangea-macrophylla","title":"Hydrangea - Hydrangea macrophylla","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrice includes everything:\u003c\/strong\u003e the plant, free delivery and professional installation by our planting team. One price, whole job done.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHydrangea - Hydrangea macrophylla\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe classic mophead hydrangea remains the standard answer to a shaded bed that needs volume and long flowering. \u003cem\u003eHydrangea macrophylla\u003c\/em\u003e is unusual among garden shrubs in that soil chemistry controls the flower colour, with acid soils producing blue heads and alkaline soils producing pink, which gives the grower real influence over the result. It is chosen over camellias or azaleas in the same position because the flower heads are enormous, last for months and dry on the bush into autumn.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy Hydrangea\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlower Size\u003c\/strong\u003e: Individual heads reach 15 to 25cm across and hold their shape from early summer well into autumn.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAdjustable Colour\u003c\/strong\u003e: Aluminium availability in acid soil produces blue, while limed or naturally alkaline soil turns the same plant pink.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShade Performance\u003c\/strong\u003e: It flowers reliably in positions that receive only morning sun, where most flowering shrubs will not.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLong Display\u003c\/strong\u003e: Spent heads fade to antique green and burgundy rather than dropping, extending the season.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEasy Renewal\u003c\/strong\u003e: Cutting old canes back to a strong pair of buds after flowering rebuilds the bush each year.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eIdeal Applications\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShaded Courtyards\u003c\/strong\u003e: A row against a south facing wall converts the coldest side of a house into a flowering bed.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUnder Deciduous Trees\u003c\/strong\u003e: Winter light reaches the plant while summer canopy supplies the shade it needs.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInformal Low Hedging\u003c\/strong\u003e: Planted at close spacing it forms a soft flowering edge along a path or driveway.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLarge Pots\u003c\/strong\u003e: Container culture lets you control the soil and therefore the flower colour precisely.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eSpecimen \u0026amp; Installation\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing (screening\/hedge):\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.8 to 1.2m\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing (feature\/avenue):\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.5 to 2m\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBest Planting Season:\u003c\/strong\u003e Autumn or early spring, avoiding the peak of summer heat\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil \u0026amp; Drainage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Humus rich, moisture retentive soil that still drains; add compost generously and avoid hot dry sand\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEstablishment Care:\u003c\/strong\u003e Water deeply two or three times a week through the first summer, as wilting leaves in the afternoon signal the root ball is drying faster than the plant can draw. Mulch with 50 to 75mm of compost or leaf litter to buffer soil temperature, and hold off heavy pruning until after the first full flowering.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003ePlant Details\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1 to 2m\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWidth:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1 to 2m\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deciduous\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Morning sun with protection from hot afternoon sun; deep shade reduces flowering\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNative to:\u003c\/strong\u003e Japan\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlower Colour:\u003c\/strong\u003e Blue in acid soils, pink to red in alkaline soils, with white forms unaffected by pH\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Direct","offers":[{"title":"500mm","offer_id":59795305464094,"sku":"ND-0967-500MM","price":800.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1000\/2536\/8862\/files\/r0WHwiSkbZXp-zpgy8LiQ_hh1eAUlV.jpg?v=1787313179","url":"https:\/\/nurserydirect.com.au\/products\/hydrangea-macrophylla","provider":"Nursery Direct","version":"1.0","type":"link"}