Hydrangea macrophylla Forever&Ever® 'PURPLE' mop-head hydrangea

PURPLE is an attractive novelty among Forever@Ever® hydrangeas from 2017. It produces large, mop-head inflorescences with indigo blue to purple violet flowers. They open from greenish-yellow buds in early summer and continue blooming in several flushes by early autumn. To achieve blue(ish) shades your soil should be highly acidic with pH of 5.0-5.6. If you are unsure about your soil pH buy a simple testing kit and if needed add more peat to reduce soil acidity.

It produces large, globular, mop-head flowers on both old and new wood so you don’t have to worry about pruning or unexpected frost or any other damage. You will always have flowers. This variety is supposed to start blooming on the first hot days of spring which can be as early as May, and will continue until the first frosts. Deadheading will enhance flowering and speed up forming of new flower buds. The leaves are deep green and thicker compared to common hydrangea. Branches are strong and always upright, never drooping with the weight of flowers. They turn burgundy red before flowering. The plant is compact.

Grow it in fertile, moist but well-drained soil, you should never let the soil dry out especially in the first year before it gets established. The name hydrangea suggests it will need a lot of water but should never stand in water in heavy clay soil. It will love part shade or filtered sunlight, you can also grow it in full sun if you provide extra watering on hot days. Good mulch is advisable at all times. Fully hardy to about -27°C (USDA zone 5b).

Last update 23-02-2018.