Friday, July 23, 2010

'Quickfire' Hydrangea



Hardiness: USDA Zone 3-8

Bloom Color: White flowers transform to rich, deep pink.

Bloom Time: Mid-summer; about a month before other paniculata varieties, not affected by pH.

Foliage: Green

Fall Color: Green with a tinge of yellow. Sometimes a reddish-purple color.

Size: 6-8 feet tall at maturity, 3-5 feet wide

Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Soil: Prefers good, loamy soil. Most adaptable of all hydrangeas to different soil types. Most urban tolerant and very difficult to kill.

Pruning: Prune to maintain a desired size or to remove any wild branches. Best if done in late fall or early spring. Blooms on new wood. Make sure to prune off spent flowers when they turn brown. Very tolerant of hard pruning, in fact cutting the plant back from 1/2 to 1/3 will result in larger flowers.

Watering: Medium moisture. Not as water dependent as Hyd. Macrophylla. Will tolerant drought.

Wildlife: None

Type: Deciduous

Fertilizing: Fertilize in early spring by applying a slow release fertilizer specialized for trees & shrubs. Follow the label for recommended rate of application.

Uses: Groupings or masses, perennial or shrub borders, specimen, screens or hedges, mixed container, cut flowers.