Azure Skies™ Hydrangea

Azure Skies™ Hydrangea, or Hydrangea mac., is a medium-sized shrub with reblooming globes of loaded, mophead flowers that bloom in the summer and provide interesting contrast to its thick, deep-green foliage. Reaching heights of 5 to 6 feet with a spread of 5 to 6 feet, the flowers of this incredible hydrangea range from rich pink to cool blue, depending on the soil pH. These Hydrangeas bloom most heavily in the summer, but can continue blooming and reblooming, well into the fall. rA Dr. Michael Dirr selection, and an exclusive for “Handpicked for You®” program participants, this incredible Hydrangea is sure to be a favorite in your garden. Native to Japan, the Azure Skies™ Hydrangea is a rounded variety with an upright symmetrical habit. They make excellent, long-lasting cut flowers, and you can both dry and preserve the flowers for a winter arrangement. rAzure Skies™ Hydrangea CarerThe low-maintenance Azure Skies™ Hydrangea should be planted in areas with mild winters. It thrives in partial sun with dappled shade, and should be watered deeply and regularly until established. Mature plants need average water. You should feed your hydrangeas yearly with organic fertilizer. It prefers moist soil with good drainage. If you would like to prune your hydrangeas for size control, it is best to do it directly after they bloom in late summer to early fall. rYou can control the color of pink or blue hydrangeas by adjusting the soil pH. For bluer colors, soil pH should be below 5.5. For brighter pinks and reds, alkaline solid with a pH of 7.0 or higher is ideal. If you choose to manipulate the color of your hydrangeas, it should be done in the spring before the plant blooms. To keep flowers blue, add aluminum sulfate to the soil. To keep them pink, add lime to the soil or apply super phosphate. rAzure Skies™ Hydrangea SpacingrThe Azure Skies™ Hydrangea is a favorite of florists and gardeners, and can be incorporated in arrangements and bouquets in need of dimension and interest. They are gorgeous, planted in shady, compact spaces, or in pots and containers with excellent drainage. Hydrangeas need adequate air flow to thrive and should be spaced a minimum of 2 feet apart center to center.rrAzure Skies™ Hydrangea InformationrrrrUSDA Hardiness Zones: 5 – 8rrrPlant Type: BushesrrrLight Exposure: Partial Shade to Partial Sun (3 – 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)rrrMature Height: 5 – 6 FeetrrrMature Spread: 5 – 6 FeetrrrSpacing: 5 – 6 FeetrrrHabit: MoundedrrrFlower Color(s): Blue, PinkrrrFlower Description: rrrBloom Period: rrrFoliage Type: DeciduousrrrFoliage Color(s): GreenrrrFoliage Description: rrrSeasonal Interest: Summer FloweringrrrWatering: AveragerrrResists: Disease, Pests & InsectsrrrTolerates: DroughtrrrAttracts: ButterfliesrrrContainer Role: rrrUses: Borders, Containers, Mass Planting, Wildlife GardensrrrFeatures: Attracts Pollinators, Cut Flowers, Low Maintenance, Continuous Blooming or RebloomerrrrBrand: rrrCommon Name: Azure Skies™ HydrangearrrOther Name(s): rrrScientific Name: HYDRANGEA M `AZURE SKIES`