Description
Dooley Hydrangea, Bigleaf Hydrangea, or Hdrangea macrophylla,
is a deciduous shrub that blooms blue, lilac, or pink based on the kind of pH in the soil. If the soil is highly acidic then the color will be blue and when it has less acidic and more alkaline it will be somewhere between lilac and pink. To make the soil more acidic, add aluminum sulfate to get the blooms to be bluer. To make the soil more alkaline, add lime to the soil to get them a pinker color. The soil needs to be treated as early as the fall in order to get the desired bloom color. This astounding capability of color change is a unique proponent of this plant. Unfortunately, it does not bloom every year when a variety of winter conditions come and go, such as fluctuations in wind temperatures, low temperatures, icy conditions, or late frosts. These blooms are good for attracting pollinators. It grows 3-5ft tall and 3-5ft but can be pruned back to make smaller. It needs part shade. If it is in full sun, it will need the soil to stay consistently moist, so it is best in partial shade. The soil needs to be well-drained and more acidic or alkaline based on gardener’s preferred color. This Hydrangea can be used for many different reasons in a garden, some for-foundation planting, hedging, or for privacy. Being a Deciduous plant the leaves fall of during the fall leaving it bear for winter. It is shipped in a 1-gallon container.
