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photo of Tim Wood

Meet the Breeder

Tim Wood
Grand Haven, MI, USA

WEE BIT GRUMPY®

Bigleaf Hydrangea

Hydrangea macrophylla

'Stragrum'

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the deep purple mophead bloom of wee bit grumpy hydrangea "} Wee bit grumpy hydrangea with pink flowers in a garden A very dark purple mophead bloom of Wee Bit Grumpy hydrangea A closeup of the pink mophead inflorescence of Wee Bit Grumpy hydrangea YouTube video describing the plant shown on this page
  • Deeply colorful blooms
  • Mophead
  • Glossy foliage
Description

Don't be grouchy - add Wee Bit Grumpy hydrangea to your product mix today! It combines the best of both worlds, with the handsome appeal and fast production times of florist hydrangeas with the rugged durability of a landscape plant. Though it is beautiful grown in untreated soil, it is positively irresistible treated with aluminum sulfate, turning an array of deep, moody purples that will fly off the shelf at retail. 

Read our instructions on blueing hydrangeas in production.

USDA Zone
5 - 9 (-20°F/-28.8°C)
Exposure
Full sun, Part sun
Height
2'
Width
2.5'
Finish Time
0.5 season
Type
Deciduous
Bloom Time
Summer rebloomer
Flower Color
Pink, Blue
Foliage Color
Green
Liner Sizes
4", Quick Turn

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.

  • Grower Sheet: Wee Bit Grumpy® Hydrangea Professional Grower Sheet
  • Benchcard: Wee Bit Grumpy® Hydrangea Benchcard
  • Tag: Wee Bit Grumpy® Hydrangea tag
  • Plant of the Week: Plant of the Week December 12, 2019
  • Spec Sheet: Wee Bit® spec sheet
  • Booklet/Brochure: Proven Winners ColorChoice Programs: Pre-Budded Hydrangeas

    • Features: Alkaline soil, Clay soil, Cut flower, Reblooming, Salt tolerant

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

    Features: Alkaline soil, Clay soil, Cut flower, Reblooming, Salt tolerant

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