How to Grow and Care for Strawberry Sundae Hydrangea

Strawberry Sundae hydrangea is a cultivar that stands out from other panicle hydrangea varieties, with multicolored blooms that emerge creamy white, then change to light pink, and finally mature to strawberry red in late summer. This compact hydrangea fits well in small spaces and prefers full to partial sun, slightly acidic soil, and lower humidity. Strawberry Sundae is also one of the most winter-hardy cultivars.Like all hydrangeas, the plant is toxic to humans and pets.

Strawberry Sundae Hydrangea Care

Here are the main care requirements for growing a Strawberry Sundae hydrangea bush.

• Plant in full sun.
• Use rich and well-drained soil that's slightly acidic (soil pH will not affect the color).
• Water 1 inch per week.
• Prune in late fall after the leaves have dropped for best results.

Light

For the best bloom, this shrub needs full sun. Less than six hours of sunlight results in fewer blooms and a leggy appearance. At the warmer end of the zone spectrum (more towards zone 8), direct morning sun is better than hot afternoon sun.

Soil

Soil should be rich and well-drained, with a neutral or slightly acidic pH (between 5.8 and 6.2). The color of Strawberry Sundae is not affected by soil pH.

Water

About 1 inch of water per week, either from rainfall or irrigation is adequate, During hot weather additional watering prevents wilting. Hydrangea roots are shallow and dry out quickly but also recover quickly when hydrated.

Temperature and Humidity

This cultivar is winter-hardy down to zone 4. High humidity can lead to fungal diseases so pruning for good air circulation is needed to reduce moisture on foliage..

Fertilizer

Work two shovelfuls of compost into the soil or apply a slow-release,balanced fertilizereach spring after the plant has come out of dormancy. Withhold fertilizer after late July to discourage new growth as the shrub enters into dormancy.

Other Panicle Hydrangea Types

There are numerous other panicle hydrangea cultivars, including:

• Vanilla Strawberry (Hydrangea paniculata'Renhy'): This cultivar is the most similar to but larger than Strawberry Sundae.
• Bobo (Hydrangea paniculata'Ilvobo'): This compact dwarf hydrangea blooms white flowers.
• Limelight (Hydrangea paniculata'Limelight'): This cultivar features dramatic blooms ranging from lime green to creamy white to dusty rose.
• Zinfin Doll (Hydrangea paniculata'Zinfin Doll'): This compact hydrangea blooms two-toned pink flower heads.

Pruning

It is important to know that Strawberry Sundae blooms on new wood. The best time to prune this hydrangea is in late fall. Wait at least two weeks after the plant has dropped all its leaves. You can also prune in early spring before it starts to leaf out.

Propagating

Strawberry Sundae is a trademarked, copyrighted cultivar, and propagation by any means is prohibited. Note that the flowers of this cultivar are sterile so they won’t produce any seeds.

Potting and Repotting

Due to its compact size, Strawberry Sundae is well-suited to containers. Choose a pot at least 16 to 24 inches wide, with large drainage holes. Since the plant remains outdoors year-round, use a frost-proof container, such as wood or plastic.

Fill the pot with potting mix and plant the hydrangea at the same level as in its original pot. Place it in a location that receives six hours of sunlight daily. Potted plants need more frequent watering and fertilizing, about once a month during the growing season, but discontinue fertilizer after late July.

When roots reach the sides of the container, (about two years), repot in a larger container with fresh potting soil, or root-prune and repot in the same container with fresh potting mix.

Overwintering

Strawberry Sundae hydrangea planted in garden soil does not require winter protection other than a thick layer of mulch to insulate shallow roots from the cold.

The best option for container-grown shrubs is to create an insulation silo, or move them to a sheltered outdoor location.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

Strawberry Sundae is vulnerable to several diseases, including bacterial wilt, bud blight, leaf spot, powdery mildew, and rust. Ample spacing and proper pruning improve air circulation and cut down on the spread of disease.

If you detect aphids or mites, use neem oil to prevent an infestation.

How to Get Strawberry Sundae Hydrangea to Bloom

Bloom Months

Strawberry Sundea hydrangae bushes bloom mid-summer through fall.

What Do Strawberry Sundae Hydrangea Flowers Look and Smell Like?

Lush but fragrance-free multicolored blooms start creamy white, changing to light pink, and finally progress to strawberry red as the weather cools down at night throughout the summer.

How to Encourage More Blooms

Three common reasons Strawberry Sundae does not bloom include lack of light, improper pruning, and nutrient imbalance. With less than six hours of sunlight, blooms will be poor. Move container plants to a sunnier location and cut back surrounding vegetation for shrubs grown in the ground.

Too much nitrogen produces foliage but no flowers. When you fertilize in spring, use a bloom-boosting fertilizer high in phosphorus.

Pruning too late in spring also leads to reduced bloom if developing buds are removed.

Deadheading Strawberry Sundae Hydrangea Flowers

It's fine to deadhead faded flowers. But if left on the branches, they can offer winter interest.

Common Problems with Strawberry Sundae Hydrangea

Strawberry Sundae hydrangea is generally free of issues. However, look for these signs that may need some attention:

Leaves Turning Yellow

Yellowing leaves can develop in the center part of the plant during the first season. New foliage at the top shades inner leaves causing them to fade and drop. Proper pruning to allow more light exposure in the center of the shrub remedies this problem.

Stems That Begin to Droop

The large, pyramid-shaped flower panicles can cause the stems to droop. Prune to keep stems shorter, sturdier, and better suited to bear the weight of the large colorful blooms.

From: thespruce