Dooley Hydrangea

Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Provide well-drained soil, rich in organic matter. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before spring growth. Prune to shape after flowering. Pruning time: summer after flowering.

This is a gorgeous hydrangea for high profile locations in foundation planting where the flowers can be appreciated up close. Add to entries and front porch planting as well as beneath windows for view from indoors. A glorious problem solver for filtered sun beneath very high canopies of old shade or street trees. A perfect mass for fence lines and the back of a semishaded shrub border. Plant in groups to provide plenty of blossoms to cut and dry for indoor color in winter.

Bigleaf hydrangea is a perfect match for Eleanor McCown Camellia, (Camellia japonica 'Eleanor McCown'), Forest Flame Pieris, (Pieris x 'Forest Flame'), Ramona Clematis, (Clematis x 'Ramona') and Mystery Gardenia, (Gardenia jasminoides 'Mystery').

This species is the most widely bred and grown of all hydrangeas. It originates in Japan but the first specimens to reach Europe came from China. There is extensive variability in color and arrangement of these inflorescens which explains why the hydrangea was "rediscovered" over and over again and classified under four different species names which now are simplified to H. macrophylla.

Mop head hydrangea blossoms are sterile so they are never pollinated, therefore the signal for the flower to fade is never given. Therefore these beautiful inflorescences may remain on the plant in full bloom for months at a time.