Product Details
Rich cherry-pink blossoms with paler pink centers positively pop against the dark green foliage of Cherry Explosion, a stunning Lacecap Hydrangea macrophylla. They smother a hardy shrub that is superbly sized for the edge of the border or containers. Cherry Explosion is pH-sensitive, and the blooms will shade lavender in acidic soil. Northern gardeners will be pleased with its ability to bloom well on old and new wood. ‘McKay’ PP 28,757
For gardeners in Zones 4 and 5, we advise planting H. macrophyllas in a sheltered location and giving them a winter mulch. This will provide protection from winds and cold temperatures that can damage flower buds.
For this Hydrangea, you can change the color of your blooms by using one of our soil additives, flowers will generally be more blue when grown in acid soils, and pink when grown in alkaline soils.
Hydrangea is a valuable genus of some 100 species of shrubs and vines grown for their large and very showy flower heads. Hydrangeas are at their best in summer and fall—a quiet time for most woody plants—and are worth having for that reason alone.
For more information on growing and care, click Growing Guide.
Shipping
HOW PLANTS ARE SHIPPED
The size of the plants we ship has been selected to reduce the shock of transplanting. For some, this means a large, bareroot crown. Others cannot travel bareroot or transplant best if grown in containers. We ship these perennials and annuals in 1 pint pots, except as noted. We must point out that many perennials will not bloom the first year after planting, but will the following year, amply rewarding your patience. We ship bulbs as dormant, bare bulbs, sometimes with some wood shavings or moss. Shrubs, Roses, vines, and other woody plants may be shipped bareroot or in pots. The size of the pot is noted in the quick facts for each item.
WHEN WE SHIP
We ship our bulbs and plants at the right time for planting in your area, except as noted, with orders dispatched on a first-come, first-served basis by climate zone. We also ship a wide range of containers and planters, tools, supplies, fertilizers, garden wear, garden decor items, as well as indoor decorations like wreaths and dried bouquets when available. Estimated dates for shipping are indicated in the green Shipping Details box for each item. Please supply a street address for delivery. Kindly contact us with two weeks notice, if you'll be away at the expected time of delivery.
OUR GUARANTEE
We guarantee to ship plants that are in prime condition for growing. If your order is damaged or fails to meet your expectations, we will cheerfully replace or refund it. Please contact our Customer Service Department at 1-800-503-9624 or email us at [email protected]. Please include your order number or customer number when contacting us.
Reviews
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Water Hogs
Norma Lehmeier Hartie from Plymouth, MA
In addition, the flowers themselves don't impress. They are blue (will attempt to change color by making soil more alkaline) but they brown on edges.
Very disappointed.
7 of 15 people found this review helpful. Do you? yes no Certified buyer
Spectacular
A viewer from near PORTLAND, MAINE
44 of 45 people found this review helpful. Do you? yes no Certified buyer
Growing guide
Latin Name Pronunciation: hye-dran'jee-uh
Growing H. macrophylla
Some Hydrangea macrophylla varieties flower on old wood, and must carry their flower buds through the winter. Early or late freezes may damage flower buds and prevent them from blooming. For example, in Zone 5, bloom may only succeed 3 years out of 5, but the plant itself is hardy there. Fortunately for gardeners in cooler zones, recent introductions will likely bloom for them, as they flower on new growth as well as year-old stems.
Light/Watering: Most varieties tolerate full sun in the North, but benefit from afternoon shade. In the South, plants require afternoon shade. Moist soils that do not dry out are best; do not plant in hot, dry, exposed sites. Mulch to conserve moisture and buffer soil temperatures.
Fertilizer/Soil and pH: Fertilize once in spring with a fertilizer designed to encourage blooms (such as 15-30-15). In many H. macrophylla varieties, flower color is determined by the pH of the soil; at low pH (acid soils) flowers will be blue and at higher pH, flowers will be pink. Generally, a pH below 5.0 results in deep, vivid blues and as the pH rises the flowers range from blue to lavender to mauve to a vivid deep pink at pH 7.0 (neutral). The pH determines the availability of aluminum in the soil; this element is more readily available in acid soils, and this availability results in the blue flower color. Since phosphorus ties up aluminum in soils, using a fertilizer low in this nutrient will aid in attaining blue flowers. If pink flowers are desired and your soil is acid, simply add lime to raise the pH and use a balanced fertilizer. Aluminum sulfate will lower pH if blue flowers are desired.
How to test your soil?
We recommend that you visit your local Cooperative Extension Service to find out about soil testing in your area. Follow this link for a directory of institutions involved in the Cooperative Extension program.
We also offer a Soil pH Meter, which allows you to test your soil and provides quick, accurate results.
For our complete selection of Hydrangea growing supplies, click here.
Pests/Diseases: None serious. Occasionally powdery mildew will infect the foliage, especially in humid areas with poor air circulation. Treat with an appropriate fungicide if the problem is serious, and be sure to rake up and destroy all fallen foliage in the autumn.
Pruning: If your Hydrangea is growing too large, prune to the desired size by the end of August. In spring, only prune out dead wood once the new growth has emerged. This includes H. m. 'Big Daddy,' H. m. Cityline® Mars, H. m. Cityline® Rio, H. m. Cityline® Venice, H. m. Color Fantasy®, H. m. Double Delights™ Star Gazer, H. m. Everlasting™ Amethyst, H. m. 'Lady in Red,' H. m. Light-O-Day®, H. m. 'Nikko Blue,' H. m. Pink Shira™, and Paraplu®. These varieties bloom on old wood.
For mophead varieties blooming on both old and new wood, by the end of August cut back stems by about half if plants are growing too tall. Remove some of the oldest stems at ground level to thin out the shrub as needed. In spring, only prune out dead wood once the new growth has emerged. This includes H. m. 'Blushing Bride,' H. m. Double Delights™ Star Gazer, H. m. Endless Summer®, H. m. Endless Summer® Bloomstruck™, H. m. Everlasting® Revolution, H. m. Let's Dance® Big Easy, Let's Dance® Blue Jangles®, H. m. Let's Dance® Moonlight, Let's Dance® Rave™, H. m. Let's Dance® Starlight, H. m. Mystical® Opal, H. m. Nantucket Blue™, H. m. Pistachio, and H. m. Twist-n-Shout™.
Reflowering: Regularly deadheading the spent blooms of H. macrophylla that bloom on both old and new wood helps encourage repeat bloom on the current year's growth.
Transplanting: Young plants may be transplanted when dormant in early spring.
End of Season Care: Rake up and destroy any fallen foliage that was infected by powdery mildew or other fungi. For gardeners in Zone 5, we recommend covering the stems with a 12” layer of organic material such as straw or mulched leaves to help preserve the flower buds through the cold winter. In addition, you may wrap your Hydrangea with burlap to protect it from winds and cold temperatures.
Calendar of Care
Mid-Spring: Prune out any dead wood from all varieties. Check soil pH and adjust up or down if needed for desired flower color. Feed plants with a fertilizer high in phosphorus (such as 15-30-15) to encourage blooms. Complete any transplanting before leaves unfurl. Mulch plants after soil has warmed to conserve moisture and buffer soil temperatures. Watch for powdery mildew and treat as needed.
Fall: Remove and destroy any fallen foliage that was infected by powdery mildew. In Zone 5, cover the stems with a 12” layer of organic material such as straw or mulched leaves to help flower buds overwinter. You may also wrap your Hydrangea with burlap to protect it from winds and cold temperatures.
For more information on growing Hydrangeas, click here.