Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Romance’

Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Romance’ features spectacular, starry, double flowers in two shades of pink. When an individual flower opens, it resembles a lacecap hydrangea with large sterile flowers radiating on the edge. However, unlike the lacecap hydrangea, the inflorescence eventually fills out completely, creating a particularly pretty mophead effect with double flowers. The flower heads are either pink (alkaline soil) or blue (acidic soil). Blooming from mid-spring to early fall, the attractive blossoms are borne on sturdy upright stems, guaranteeing a better display. Compact, this elegant hydrangea makes a fantastic specimen plant and looks lovely in containers. It can be grown as an indoor floral potted plant and is ideal for small gardens!

• This deciduous shrub has a round, bushy habit, typically growing up to 3-4 ft. tall (90-120 cm) and 2-3 ft. wide (60-90 cm)
• A part shade lover, it is best grown in rich, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Tolerant to the sun if the soil remains moist.
• No serious pest or disease issues. Watch for aphids, capsid bugs, hydrangea scale, and vine weevil.
• Perfect from foundation plantings to container plantings. Massed in a sheltered location or as an accent plant.
• To change the color of your Hydrangea, 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)
• Spent flowers should be regularly deadheaded.
• 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.
• Hydrangea macrophylla species is native to Japan. It is reported from seaside habitats as well as mountains in Japan, from Honshu southwards. This species has naturalized in China, New Zealand and the Americas.
• 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.