Nikko Blue Hydrangea Hydrangea Macrophylla 3 Gal

'Nikko Blue' is part of the hortensia or mophead group (large sterile florets arranged in globular or "mophead"-like panicles). It is a deciduous shrub with a rounded habit which typically grows 4-6' tall. Features clusters of pink or blue florets in large, rounded, 4-5" panicles (corymbs) which bloom in June (often earlier than other varieties) for up to two months. Large, serrate, obovate to elliptic, lustrous, medium green foliage.

Best grown in rich, medium moisture, well-drained soils in part shade. Tolerates full sun only if grown in consistently moist soils. Soil pH affects the flower color of most cultivars except white (blue in highly acidic soils and lilac to pink in slightly acidic to alkaline soils). Add aluminum sulfate to the soil to make the flowers bluer or add lime to the soil to make the flowers pinker. Begin soil treatments well in advance of flowering, as in late autumn or early spring. Plants generally need little pruning. If needed, prune immediately after flowering by cutting back flowering stems to a pair of healthy buds.