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photo of Tim Wood

Meet the Breeder

Tim Wood
Grand Haven, MI, USA

TUFF STUFF™ Red

Hydrangea - Mountain

Hydrangea serrata

'SMNMAKTSR'

PP#28,672; CBR#5789

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A handsome rounded specimen of Tuff Stuff Red mountain hydrangea blooming in a landscape surrounded by greenery "} Closeup of the lacecap bloom of Tuff Stuff Red mountain hydrangea showing the yellow eyes in the center of each floret Many deep pink red flowers on Tuff Stuff Red mountain hydrangea Two specimens of Tuff Stuff Red mountain hydrangea blooming in the landscape near a tree
  • Improved hardiness
  • Reblooming
  • Red flowers
Description

A new color for the Tuff Stuff™ series! The improved bud and stem hardiness, the reblooming habit, and the double lacecap flowers of the original - but Tuff Stuff™ Red brings with it dark red-pink flowers. Flowers open to a two-toned green and red, maturing to all red. Strong stems give this mounded hydrangea a handsome presentation both in the container and in the landscape. Developed by Tim Wood at Spring Meadow Nursery.

USDA Zone
4 - 9 (-30°F/-34.4°C)
Exposure
Full sun, Part sun
Height
2 - 3'
Width
2 - 3'
Finish Time
.5 season
Type
Deciduous
Bloom Time
Summer - fall
Flower Color
Red
Foliage Color
Green
Liner Sizes
4", Quick Turn, Pre-Budded

Soil

Moist but well drained soils are best. Mountain hydrangeas are less susceptible to wilting than bigleaf hydrangeas, but 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 mountain 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. Though they do rebloom readily on new wood, the best display comes from treating them as though they bloom only old wood.

Uses

Mountain hydrangeas can be used the same as bigleaf hydrangeas: perfect 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

Mountain hydrangeas are from the same area of Japan as bigleaf hydrangeas but grow in the mountains instead of the seaside. As a result, they have naturally developed better cold tolerance and thus make an outstanding choice for gardens in USDA zones 5 and 6 especially.

  • Benchcard: Tuff Stuff™ Red Hydrangea Benchcard
  • Spec Sheet: Tuff Stuff™ Red Hydrangea Spec Sheet
  • Grower Sheet: Tuff Stuff™ Red Hydrangea Grower Sheet
  • Tag: Tuff Stuff™ Red Hydrangea Tag

    • Features: Attracts pollinators, Alkaline soil, Clay soil, Cut flower, Heat tolerant, Salt tolerant, Reblooming, Compact

    Filters: Botanical genus: Hydrangea, Common name: Hydrangea - Mountain, Retail program: Proven Winners® ColorChoice®, USDA Zone 4, USDA Zone 5, USDA Zone 6, USDA Zone 7, USDA Zone 8, USDA Zone 9, Exposure: Full sun, Exposure: Part sun, Bloom time: Summer, Red flowers, Green foliage

    Features: Attracts pollinators, Alkaline soil, Clay soil, Cut flower, Heat tolerant, Salt tolerant, Reblooming, Compact

    Filters: Botanical genus: Hydrangea, Common name: Hydrangea - Mountain, Retail program: Proven Winners® ColorChoice®, USDA Zone 4, USDA Zone 5, USDA Zone 6, USDA Zone 7, USDA Zone 8, USDA Zone 9, Exposure: Full sun, Exposure: Part sun, Bloom time: Summer, Red flowers, Green foliage