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‘Nikko Blue’

Hydrangea - Bigleaf

Hydrangea macrophylla

'Nikko Blue'

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Nikko Blue hydrangea in full bloom in a landscape near a porch "}
  • Blue flowers
  • Classic
  • Vigorous
Description

Large blue or deep-lavender mophead flower balls smother 'Nikko Blue' hydrangea, a garden classic for nearly a century. This is a very large plant compared to most bigleaf hydrangeas.

USDA Zone
5 - 9 (-20°F/-28.9°C)
Exposure
Full sun, Part sun
Height
3 - 5'
Width
3 - 5'
Finish Time
.5 season
Type
Deciduous
Bloom Time
Summer
Flower Color
Blue
Foliage Color
Green

Soil

Moist but well drained soils are best. Bigleaf hydrangeas may wilt in dry soils but also cannot take soggy conditions for any period of time. Tolerant of a range of soil pH levels, however, soil pH will influence flower color.

Pruning

Avoid pruning bigleaf hydrangeas, except to remove any dead wood. These hydrangeas cannot be cut back or trimmed at any time of the year without impacting the bloom for either the current season or the next.

Uses

Bigleaf hydrangeas are classic choices for flower gardens, cottage gardens, and seaside plantings. They also make a showy addition to foundation plantings and can be used for low hedges or edging.

Growing Tips

Bigleaf hydrangeas benefit from a good layer of shredded bark mulch and afternoon shade, particularly in hotter climates. Apply a granular fertilizer formulated for flowering shrubs (like a rose fertilizer) if leaves start to yellow.

Features: Cut flower, Salt tolerant, Alkaline soil, Heat tolerant

Filters: Botanical genus: Hydrangea, Common name: Hydrangea - Bigleaf, Retail program: Local Roots®, USDA Zone 5, USDA Zone 6, USDA Zone 7, USDA Zone 8, USDA Zone 9, Exposure: Full sun, Exposure: Part sun, Bloom time: Summer, Blue flowers, Green foliage

Features: Cut flower, Salt tolerant, Alkaline soil, Heat tolerant

Filters: Botanical genus: Hydrangea, Common name: Hydrangea - Bigleaf, Retail program: Local Roots®, USDA Zone 5, USDA Zone 6, USDA Zone 7, USDA Zone 8, USDA Zone 9, Exposure: Full sun, Exposure: Part sun, Bloom time: Summer, Blue flowers, Green foliage