3 Hydrangeas in 3 Varieties

The 'Sensation' hydrangeas thrive best in the ground. Make sure the root balls of Hydrangea macrophylla 'Sensation' are soaked well – place the shrubs in a bucket of luke-warm water, prior to planting. Prepare a wide hole and loosen the soil with a fork. Plant the hydrangeas at the correct depth – the top of the root balls should be just below ground level. Refill the hole with soil and press firmly down. Water immediately after planting. Hydrangeas macrophylla 'Sensation' thrive in a not too dry humus-rich soil. Improve your garden soil with a mix of well rotted manure and compost. Plant in a sunny spot, or partial shade. These hydrangeas also do well in a large pot on your patio or decking. Make sure you choose a pot with adequate drainage.

These gorgeous double flowered Hydrangeas are suitable for every garden. The large, double, red, blue and pink flowers look great in groups or a border. You could fill a flower bed bordered with ‘Box’ with these colourful hydrangeas. They will even look at home grouped in the shrubbery or combine them with other common Hydrangeas and they will look great together!

The ball shaped flower heads start off a greenish colour, gradually turning pink, blue or red, and fade back to green at the end of the summer. They still look lovely in the winter, especially when covered with a layer of snow. Hydrangea macrophylla is also called the ‘common hydrangea’. The colour of the flowers depends on the pH levels in the soil. In autumn the dead flowers can be dried and are great to use in a flower arrangement or autumn wreath to hang on your front door!

The name follows the Greek – Hydrangea, 'hydro' (water) and 'aggos' (pot) which again points to the shape of the fruit (pitcher shaped). Macrophylla means large leafed.

These shrubs really hate dry soil, so give your 'Sensation' Hydrangeas extra water during dry periods. Apply a mulch of compost and garden fertiliser every year in early spring.Hydrangea macrophylla 'Sensation' flowers on new branches (unlike other macrophylla)! You can prune back to around 40 cm above ground level every spring. Cutting back in March makes your Hydrangeas bushier.The ‘Sensation’ Hydrangea is very hardy!