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Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Ayesha’

Bigleaf Hydrangea 'Ayesha', Mophead Hydrangea 'Ayesha', Hortensia 'Ayesha', Hydrangea macrophylla 'Silver Slipper', Hydrangea macrophylla Uzu-Azisai'

Hydrangea Macrophylla 'Ayesha', Bigleaf Hydrangea 'Ayesha', Mophead Hydrangea 'Ayesha', Hortensia 'Ayesha', Hydrangea macrophylla 'Silver Slipper', Hydrangea macrophylla Uzu-Azisai', Blue Hydrangea, Pink Hydrangea
Hydrangea Macrophylla 'Ayesha', Bigleaf Hydrangea 'Ayesha', Mophead Hydrangea 'Ayesha', Hortensia 'Ayesha', Hydrangea macrophylla 'Silver Slipper', Hydrangea macrophylla Uzu-Azisai', Blue Hydrangea, Pink Hydrangea

A unique mophead hydrangea, Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Ayesha’ produces an abundance of large, compact flower heads, 8 in. across (20 cm), packed with cup-shaped sepals reminiscent of lilac flowers. Opening creamy-white, the thick and fleshy sepals change to soft shell-pink, sky blue, or pale mauve-lilac, depending on the soil pH. This creates a gentle two-toned coloring of stunning effect. Blooming in early summer for up to 6 months, ‘Ayesha’ is one of the few hydrangeas to have a delicate light fragrance. Its fresh green foliage of heavily textured, glossy, and bold leaves takes on red overtones in the spring and fall. Sun, wind, and coast tolerant, this mophead hydrangea adds a touch of elegance to a lightly shaded border and makes a superb specimen shrub in a large patio container.

  • Vigorous, this deciduous shrub has a round habit, typically growing 4-6 ft. tall and wide (120-180 cm).
  • A part shade lover, it is best grown in rich, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Full sun is tolerated if constant moisture is provided.
  • No serious pest or disease issues. Watch for botrytis blight, bacterial wilt, leaf spot, rust, mildew.
  • Perfect from foundation plantings to container plantings. Massed in a sheltered location or as an accent plant. Effective as a hedge and makes excellent cut flowers too!
  • Blue in acidic soils, the flowers turn pink in alkaline soils. To change their color, add aluminum sulfate to the soil to make the flowers bluer or add lime to the soil to make them pinker. Treatment should occur ahead of time (late fall or early spring).
  • Remove spent flowers to promote new blooms.
  • This beautiful deciduous shrub should be pruned after flowering by cutting back the stems to a pair of healthy buds. Prune out weak or winter-damaged stems in early spring.
  • May cause mild stomach upset if ingested, and contact with foliage may aggravate skin allergies. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling.
  • Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.

Hydrangea: Plant Care and Growing Guide


Hydrangea care: Cultivating these beautiful flowers requires attention and finesse to thrive. Here are some tips on how to plant and grow hydrangea successfully.

Requirements

Hardiness 6 - 9
Heat Zones 6 - 9
Climate Zones 3, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Hydrangeaceae
Genus Hydrangea
Common names French Hydrangea, Hydrangea, Bigleaf Hydrangea, Mophead Hydrangea
Exposure Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 4' - 6'
(120cm - 180cm)
Spread 4' - 6'
(120cm - 180cm)
Spacing 72" (180cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens, Patio And Containers, Wall-Side Borders
Garden Styles Traditional Garden, Informal and Cottage, Coastal Garden, City and Courtyard
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Kardinal Violet’
Hydrangea macrophylla Wedding Gown™
Hydrangea serrata Tuff Stuff™ (Mountain Hydrangea)
Hydrangea macrophylla Cityline® Venice
Hydrangea macrophylla Cityline® Vienna
Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Blue Heaven’

Recommended Companion Plants

Abelia × grandiflora (Glossy Abelia)
Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ (Hakone Grass)
Hosta ‘Patriot’ (Plantain Lily)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

Pure White Flowers for a Touch of Elegance in Your Garden
Stunning Blue Flowers to Enhance Your Garden’s Beauty
Choosing Your Ideal Hedge: A Guide to Top Shrubs for Any Garden
Add a Splash of Color: Perfect Flowering Shrubs for Small Gardens
35 Flowering Shrubs That Thrive in Full Sun
40 Beautiful Native Shrubs for Shade
Hydrangea serrata (Mountain Hydrangea)
Hydrangea macrophylla (Bigleaf Hydrangea)
Hydrangea Types – Which one is yours?
Hydrangea paniculata (Panicle Hydrangea)
Hydrangea arborescens (Smooth Hydrangea)
Hydrangea quercifolia (Oak Leaf Hydrangea)
Beautiful Hydrangeas for the Pacific Northwest Region
Beautiful Hydrangeas for the Mid-Atlantic Region
Beautiful Hydrangeas for New England
Beautiful Hydrangeas for the Coastal South Region
Beautiful Hydrangeas for the Lower South Region
Beautiful Hydrangeas for the Middle South Region
Beautiful Hydrangeas for the Upper South Region
Plants with Purple Flowers to Add Charm to Your Garden
Plants with Pink Flowers to Add Romance to Your Garden
Hydrangea: Plant Care and Growing Guide
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 6 - 9
Heat Zones 6 - 9
Climate Zones 3, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Hydrangeaceae
Genus Hydrangea
Common names French Hydrangea, Hydrangea, Bigleaf Hydrangea, Mophead Hydrangea
Exposure Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 4' - 6'
(120cm - 180cm)
Spread 4' - 6'
(120cm - 180cm)
Spacing 72" (180cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens, Patio And Containers, Wall-Side Borders
Garden Styles Traditional Garden, Informal and Cottage, Coastal Garden, City and Courtyard
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Hydrangea
Guides with
Hydrangea
Not sure which Hydrangea to pick?
Compare Now

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