James Burghardt
Family
Hydrangeaceae
Botanical Name
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Blushing Bride'( ENDLESS SUMMER® BLUSHING BRIDE, ENDLESS SUMMER® SERIES) PP17169
Plant Common Name
Bigleaf Hydrangea, Blushing Bride Bigleaf Hydrangea, Largeleaf Hydrangea
General Description
Producing large, white, "mophead" flower clusters over an exceptionally long season, this selection from plant guru Michael Dirr flowers reliably in regions where other bigleaf hydrangeas are bloomless.
Native to Japan, Hydrangea macrophylla is a medium-sized, deciduous, summer-blooming shrub with large green leaves and a rounded, bushy habit. It normally produces flat clusters of small fertile flowers, each cluster fringed by a few large sterile flowers. Like most cultivated bigleaf hydrangeas, 'Blushing Bride' produces enormous "mopheads" of predominately sterile flowers. The white blooms age to blush-pink. Most bigleaf hydrangeas flower only on the previous year's stems, but those in the ENDLESS SUMMER® Series bloom on both old and new growth, extending their flowering season. Additionally, because they bloom on new wood they often flower well even after being killed to the ground by winter cold.
Bigleaf hydrangeas prefer partial shade and evenly moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil. In areas with moderate summers they succeed in full sun. Cut 'Blushing Bride' back to "live wood" in early spring, or prune lightly any time during the growing season. The showy flowerheads of this outstanding landscape shrub are great for cutting and are versatile in arrangements. They also dry well and can be used as everlastings.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
9 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
5 - 9
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Sunset Zone
H1, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Shrub
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
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Height
3'-6' / 0.9m - 1.8m
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Width
3'-6' / 0.9m - 1.8m
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Bloom Time
Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall
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Native To
Japan
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
White, Light Pink
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green, Dark Green
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Bark Color
Brown, Sandy Brown
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
Yes
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Texture
Coarse
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Bark Texture
Smooth
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Usage
Container, Cutflower, Edging, Feature Plant, Foundation, Mixed Border
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Self-Sowing
No
