Dooley Hydrangea

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Dooley'

Sku #0727

This charming flowering shrub is nearly smothered in summer blooms. Rich, brilliant blue flower clusters are backed by the lustrous, densely arranged foliage. Thrives in rich, moist, well-drained soil. Excellent for cut flower arrangements. Deciduous.

Light Needs

Partial sun

Light Needs
Water Needs

Needs regular watering - weekly, or more often in extreme heat.
USDA Zone ?

There are very few rules in gardening, but perhaps the most important one is to work within your zone. Choosing plants that grow and thrive in your particular climate is the very first step toward having a beautiful garden. Learn More

6 - 9

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Detail

Key Feature

Summer Flowering

Light Needs

Partial sun

Landscape Uses

Coastal Exposure, Cutting Garden, Firescaping/Fire Wise, Woodland Garden

Watering Needs:Needs regular watering - weekly, or more often in extreme heat.

Plant type:Hydrangea, Shrub

Deciduous/evergreen:Deciduous

Sunset climate zones:3 - 9, 14 - 24

Growth habit:Rounded

Growth rate:Fast

Average landscape size:Vigorous growth to 3 to 5 feet tall and wide.

Special features:Gift Plant

Foliage color:Green

Blooms:Summer

Flower color:Blue

Flower attributesFlowers for Cutting, Long Bloom Season, Showy Flowers

Garden styleCottage

Design IdeasThis 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.

Companion PlantsBigleaf 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').

Care

Care Information

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

History & Lore

History:

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.

Lore:

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.

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