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WEE BIT GRUMPIER™

Bigleaf Hydrangea

Hydrangea macrophylla

'SMNHMCLM'

PPAF; CBRAF

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Wee Bit Grumpier hydrangea in the landscape.

Wee Bit Grumpier hydrangea with moody purple flowers.

Two Wee Bit Grumpier hydrangeas in the ground.

Wee Bit Grumpier hydrangea with pink flowers.

Deeply colorful blooms
Mophead
Glossy foliage

Description: The dark, dramatic color (and, let's face it, funny name) drove Wee Bit Gumpy® hydrangea to quick success, and this improved version offers better bud hardiness for more reliable blooms and thick, glossy foliage. The color is, of course, even better as well. While we know it will sell best as a blue, it makes an outstanding pink too, with nearly fluorescent color.

USDA Zone: 5 - 9 (-20°F/-28.8°C)
Exposure: Full sun, Part sun
Height: 2'
Width: 2.5'
Type: Deciduous
Bloom Time: Summer rebloomer
Flower Color: Pink, Blue
Foliage Color: Green

General Care

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.