Hydrangea macrophylla 'Red Sensation'

Original: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. New:Hydrangea can be either deciduous or evergreen. The widely cultivated temperate species are all deciduous. There are numerous named varieties divided into two groups; Hortensias, with rounded flower heads, and the Lacecaps, with flat heads of inner fertile florets surrounded by sterile florets. On alkaline soils, almost all the blue varieties turn pink or red-purple, whilst on acid or neutral soils, the pink varieties turn purple or blue.

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  Full sun to partial shade

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  Occasional watering

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  Full Frost Hardy: 5F (-15°C)

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  Moist and rich