Shrubs
Ever wonder how to change the color of hydrangea?
Scroll to the bottom of the page to learn the proper care and maintenance of hydrangea. Also read how to change the color of certain hydrangea!
Proven Winners "Cityline Mars" Hydrangea-Big Leaf (macrophylia)
Plant Type: Shrub
Shrub Type: Deciduous
Height Category: Medium
Garden Height: 12-36 in
Spacing: 24-48 in
Spread: 12-36 in
Flower Colors: Blue/Pink
Flower Shade: Pink. Blue in more acidic soils with aluminum availability.
Foliage Colors: Green
Foliage Shade: Dark Green, glossy.
Light Requirement: Part Sun to Sun
Maintenance Category: Moderate
Blooms On: Old Wood
Bloom Time: Summer
Hardiness Zones: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Water Category: Average
Proven Winners "Incediball Blush" Hydrangea-Smooth (arborescens)
Plant Type: Shrub
Shrub Type: Deciduous
Height Category: Medium
Garden Height: 48 - 60 Inches
Spacing: 60 - 72 Inches
Spread: 48 - 60 Inches
Flower Colors: Pink
Flower Shade: Green
Foliage Colors: Green
Habit: Mounded
Light Requirement: Part Sun to Sun
Maintenance Category: Easy
Blooms On: New Wood
Bloom Time: Summer thru Fall
Hardiness Zones: 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a
Water Category: Average
Proven Winners "Incediball" Hydrangea-Smooth (arborescens)
Plant Type: Shrub
Shrub Type: Deciduous
Height Category: Medium
Garden Height: 48 - 60 Inches
Spacing: 60 - 72 Inches
Spread: 48 - 60 Inches
Flower Colors: White
Flower Shade: White
Foliage Colors: Green
Foliage Shade: Dark Green
Habit: Mounded
Light Requirement: Part Sun to Sun
Maintenance Category: Easy
Blooms On: New Wood
Bloom Time: Early Summer/Mid Summer/Late Summer
Hardiness Zones: 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a
Water Category: Average
Proven Winners "Tuff Stuff" Hydrangea-Mountian (serrata)
Plant Type: Shrub
Shrub Type: Deciduous
Height Category: Short
Garden Height: 24-36 Inches
Spacing: 24-36 Inches
Spread: 24-36 Inches
Flower Colors: Blue/Pink
Flower Shade: Pink or Blue
Foliage Colors: Green
Foliage Shade: Green
Habit: Mounded
Light Requirement: Part Sun to Sun
Maintenance Category: Easy
Blooms On: New Wood/Old Wood
Bloom Time: Summer thru Fall
Hardiness Zones: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Water Category: Average
Proven Winners "Tuff Stuff Ah-Ha" Hydrangea-Mountian (serrata)
Plant Type: Shrub
Shrub Type: Deciduous
Height Category: Short
Garden Height: 24-36 Inches
Spacing: 36-48 Inches
Spread: 24-36 Inches
Flower Colors: Blue/Pink/Purple
Flower Shade: Blue/purple in acidic soils, pink in basic ones
Foliage Colors: Green
Foliage Shade: Green
Habit: Mounded
Light Requirement: Part Sun to Sun
Maintenance Category: Easy
Blooms On: New Wood/Old Wood
Bloom Time: Summer thru Fall
Hardiness Zones: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Water Category: Average
Proven Winners "Wee Bit Grumpy" Hydrangea-Big Leaf (macrophylia)
Plant Type: Shrub
Shrub Type: Deciduous
Height Category: Medium
Garden Height: 24 Inches
Spacing: 30 Inches
Spread: 30 Inches
Flower Colors: Purple/Red
Flower Shade: Bright red in neutral to alkaline soils; red-violet in acidic conditions
Foliage Colors: Green
Foliage Shade: Green
Habit: Mounded
Light Requirement: Part Sun to Sun
Maintenance Category: Easy
Blooms On: New Wood/Old Wood
Bloom Time: Summer
Hardiness Zones: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Water Category: Average
Proven Winners "Let's Dance Rave" Hydrangea-Big Leaf (macrophylia)
Plant Type: Shrub
Shrub Type: Deciduous
Height Category: Medium
Garden Height: 24 - 36 InchesSpacing: 36 - 48 Inches
Spread: 24 - 36 Inches
Flower Colors: Blue/Pink/Purple
Flower Shade: Rich violet-purple in acidic soils, saturated pink in basic ones
Foliage Colors: Green
Foliage Shade: Green
Habit: Mounded
Light Requirement: Part Sun to Sun
Maintenance Category: Easy
Blooms On: New Wood/Old Wood
Bloom Time: Early Summer/Mid Summer/Late Summer
Hardiness Zones: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b+
Water Category: Average
Proven Winners "Let's Dance Blue Jangles" Hydrangea-Big Leaf (macrophylia
Plant Type: Shrub
Shrub Type: Deciduous
Height Category: Medium
Garden Height: 12 - 24 Inches
Spacing: 24 - 36 Inches
Spread: 24 - 36 Inches
Flower Colors: Blue/Pink/Purple
Flower Shade: Flower color varies based on Soil pH
Foliage Colors: Green
Foliage Shade: Green
Habit: Mounded
Light Requirement: Part Sun to Sun
Maintenance Category: Easy
Blooms On: New Wood/Old Wood
Bloom Time: Early Summer/Mid Summer/Late Summer
Category: Average
Proven Winners "Let's Dance Big Band" Hydrangea-Big Leaf (macrophylia)
Plant Type: Shrub
Shrub Type: Deciduous
Height Category: Medium
Garden Height: 30 Inches
Spacing: 30 Inches
Spread: 30 Inches
Flower Colors: Blue/Pink/Purple
Flower Shade: Rich violet-purple in acidic soils, saturated pink in basic ones
Foliage Colors: Green
Foliage Shade: Green
Habit: Mounded
Light Requirement: Part Sun to Sun
Maintenance Category: Easy
Blooms On: Old Wood
Bloom Time: Early Summer/Mid Summer/Late Summer
"Mariesi Doublefile" Viburnum (Viburnum plicatum var. tomentosum)
Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
Mature Size: Eight to 16 feet in height, 12 to 15 feet in spread
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Soil Type: Prefers loam, but will do well in any medium-moisture, well-drained soil. Soil pH 5.6 to 6.6, slightly acid; will also tolerate slightly alkaline soils
Bloom Time: Spring (April and May in most regions)
Flower Color: White
Hardiness Zones: 5 to 8
"Korean Spice" Viburnum (Viburnum carlesii)
Form: Shrub
Sun Exposure: Full Sun, Partial Shade
Height: 4 - 6 feet
Spread: 4 - 7 feet
Spacing: 4 - 7 feet
Hardiness Zone: 4-7
Flowering Date: Mid to late spring for 2-3 weeks
Planting Instructions: Plant at the same soil level as it is in the pot.
Growth Rate: Slow
Flower Color: Red, Pink, White, Mixed
Foliage Type: Elliptical dark green leaves that turn into a reddish color in the fall
Resistance: Deer Resistant
Soil Requirement: Moist, well-drained soil
Watering Requirement: Average water needs
Proven Winners "Scentara Double Blue" Lilac (Syringa)
Plant Type: Shrub
Shrub Type: Deciduous
Height Category: Tall
Garden Height: 72 - 96 Inches
Spacing: 72 - 96 Inches
Spread: 72 - 96 Inches
Flower Colors: Purple
Flower Shade: Purple-blue
Foliage Colors: Green
Foliage Shade: Green
Habit: Upright
Light Requirement: Sun
Maintenance Category: Easy
Blooms On: Old Wood
Bloom Time: Spring
Hardiness Zones: 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
Water Category: Average/Needs Good Drainage
Proven Winners "Bloomerang Dark Purple" Lilac-Reblooming (Syringa
Plant Type: Shrub
Shrub Type: Deciduous
Height Category: Tall
Garden Height: 48 - 72 Inches
Spacing: 48 - 84 Inches
Spread: 48 – 72 Inches
Flower Colors: Purple
Foliage Colors: Green
Foliage Shade: Green
Habit: Upright
Light Requirement: Sun
Maintenance Category: Easy
Blooms On: Old Wood
Bloom Time: Early Summer/Mid Summer/Late Summer/Early Fall/Mid Fall/Early Spring/Late Fall/Mid Spring/Late Spring
Hardiness Zones: 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
Water Category: Average/Needs Good Drainage
Dropmore Scarlet Honeysuckle
Average Size at Maturity: Fast growing, upright vine with stems 10 to 20 ft. long.
Bloom Time: Summer
Deciduous: Evergreen/Deciduous
Flower Attribute: Fragrant, Long Bloom Season, Showy Flowers
Flower Color: Orange
Foliage Color: Blue-green
Growth Habit: Climbing
Growth Rate: Fast
Light Needs: Full sun
Special Feature: Easy Care, Extreme Cold Hardiness, Ornamental Berries, Fast Growing, Bird Friendly
Water Needs: Moderate/Needs regular watering
Key Feature: Long Bloom Season
Proven Winners "Sentsation" Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum)
Attracts: Birds
Resists: Deer
Vine: Vine
Plant Type: Shrub
Shrub Type: Deciduous
Height Category: Medium
Garden Height: 96 - 120 Inches
Trails Up To: 120 Inches
Spacing: 60 - 72 Inches
Spread: 60 - 72 Inches
Flower Colors: White/Yellow
Foliage Colors: Green
Foliage Shade: Green
Habit: Climbing
Light Requirement: Sun
Maintenance Category: Easy
Blooms On: New Wood
Bloom Time: Early Summer/Mid Summer/Late Summer
Hardiness Zones: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b+
Water Category: Average
Proven Winner "Paraplu Pink Ink" Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus)
Attracts: Butterflies/Hummingbirds
Resists: Deer
Plant Type: Shrub
Shrub Type: Deciduous
Height Category: Tall
Garden Height: 60 - 96 Inches
Spacing: 48 - 60 Inches
Spread: 48 - 60 Inches
Flower Colors: Pink/White
Flower Shade: White w/ pink center
Foliage Colors: Green
Foliage Shade: Dark Green
Habit: Upright
Light Requirement: Sun
Maintenance Category: Easy
Blooms On: New Wood
Bloom Time: Summer thru Fall
Hardiness Zones: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Water Category: Average
Proven Winner "Lil Kim" Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus)
Attracts: Butterflies/Hummingbirds
Resists: Deer
Plant Type: Shrub
Shrub Type: Deciduous
Height Category: Tall
Garden Height: 36 - 48 Inches
Spacing: 48 - 60 Inches
Spread: 36 - 48 Inches
Flower Colors: White
Flower Shade: White
Foliage Colors: Green
Foliage Shade: Green
Habit: Upright
Light Requirement: Sun
Maintenance Category: Easy
Blooms On: New Wood
Bloom Time: Early Summer/Mid Summer/Late Summer
Hardiness Zones: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Water Category: Average
Proven Winner "Lil Kim Red" Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus)
Attracts: Butterflies/Hummingbirds
Resists: Deer
Plant Type: Shrub
Shrub Type: Deciduous
Height Category: Tall
Garden Height: 36 - 48 Inches
Spacing: 48 - 60 Inches
Spread: 36 - 48 Inches
Flower Colors: Pink/Red
Flower Shade: Rosey pink-red
Foliage Colors: Green
Foliage Shade: Green
Habit: Upright
Light Requirement: Sun
Maintenance Category: Easy
Blooms On: New Wood
Bloom Time: Early Summer/Mid Summer/Late Summer
Hardiness Zones: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Water Category: Average
Proven Winner "Blue Chiffon" Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus)
Attracts: Birds/Butterflies/Hummingbirds
Resists: Deer
Plant Type: Shrub
Shrub Type: Deciduous
Height Category: Tall
Garden Height: 96 - 144 Inches
Spacing: 72 - 84 Inches
Spread: 48 - 72 Inches
Flower Colors: Blue
Flower Shade: Lavender
Foliage Colors: Green
Foliage Shade: Dark Green
Habit: Upright
Light Requirement: Sun
Maintenance Category: Easy
Blooms On: New Wood
Bloom Time: Early Summer/Mid Summer/Late Summer
Hardiness Zones: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Water Category: Average
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Hydrangea Care
Interesting information about Hydrangea
What is a hydrangea? A hydrangea is a shrub or climbing plant with rounded or flattened flowering heads of small florets, the outer ones of which are typically infertile. Hydrangeas are native to Asia and America. The origin of the word hydrangea comes from the modern Latin, from Greek hudro- ‘water’ + angeion ‘vessel’ (from the cup shape of its seed capsule).
There are many types of hydrangeas, most can be grown in full sun or partial shade. Many hydrangeas do not like extremely hot conditions, so try to locate them in an area where they can enjoy some afternoon shade. Hydrangeas typically prefer rich, moist soil that drains easily. It helps to amend the soil with compost prior to planting. Hydrangea planting should be performed in spring once the threat of frost has passed. Water thoroughly after planting. Add a layer of mulch following hydrangea planting.
Water is an important factor when you care for hydrangeas. They enjoy deep watering at least once a week, especially in dry weather. Hydrangeas also benefit from an occasional boost of fertilizer once or twice a year in spring or summer.
Here are a couple of tips for maintaining beautiful hydrangea shrubs year after year. The Big Leaf Variety are hardy to USDA zone 5. Mid-Michigan is considered Zone 5, so the Big Leaf family will grow well. The Big Leaf varieties bloom on old wood, so do not prune and protect during winter.
The Incrediball Series is an improved version of the garden classic 'Annabelle' hydrangea, but with strong, sturdy stems that don't flop over and extra-large blooms. When planting use a good layer of shredded bark mulch to help minimize water loss. As for pruning, cut the entire plant back by about one-third its total height each spring, just as the new growth begins to emerge on stems. This serves to build up a strong, supportive, woody base while also encouraging abundant new growth for plenty of flowers. To fertilize, use an application of a rose fertilizer in early spring, once the soil has thawed, is sufficient.
The Tuff Stuff Series of hydrangea works in many landscape applications. Tuff Stuff hydrangea does not need pruning except to remove any dead wood in early spring. You should not cut back or trim this plant at any time of the year, as doing so will remove flower buds. Hydrangeas are shallow-rooted and benefit from a 2-3" layer of shredded bark mulch. If you wish, you may fertilize in early spring, once the ground has thawed, with a granular fertilizer formulated for woody plants, like a rose fertilizer. This plant does not require deadheading, though if you wish to remove spent flowers.
For more Hydrangea care tips, please visit the Proven Winners website at www.provenwinners.com. Proven Winners is the leading plant grower in the world and strives to provide the best quality plant for all occassions.
What changes hydrangeas’ color?
Hydrangeas change color (except for the white ones) based on the pH level of their soil. The more alkaline the soil, the pinker the flowers. To make pink hydrangeas turn blue (or to keep your blue ones from turning pink), increase the acidity of soil.
To confirm your soil’s pH level, test a sample: First, get a handful of dirt. It only takes a small amount of soil to test the pH level. (Bonus points if you know what “pH level” refers to; I looked it up and learned that “pH” stands for “potential of hydrogen” or, in layman’s terms, the concentration of hydrogen ions in soil. The higher the concentration, the more alkaline your soil.
What is used to test soil pH? Next, place the soil sample in a container. Pour distilled white vinegar over it. If the solution fizzes, the pH level is high and your soil is alkaline. (If it doesn’t fizz, then the soil is neutral or acidic; you will not have to amend it as much to make your hydrangeas blue.)
How do you change soil pH for hydrangeas? Add organic materials to your soil to make it more acidic. Coffee grounds are good. So is ground-up citrus peel. Work the mixture into the soil around the base of your hydrangea plant, and then water it in. How often should you do this? Save your peels and your grounds in a little bowl on the countertop and whenever the bowl is full, take it outdoors to feed the hydrangeas. The acidity of the soil will slowly increase; by next year, your hydrangeas should look a lot more blue.
Lowering Soil pH with Coffee Grounds. Crushed egg shells will also increase the acidity of the soil. Work them into the ground along with citrus peel and coffee grounds. As they decompose, the organic materials will add aluminum to the soil (making it more acidic). You can also add diluted Aluminum Sulfate to increase the acidity level.
