Hydrangea 'Red Sensation' - Shrub

The 'Red Sensation' hydrangea thrives best in the ground. Make sure the root ball of Hydrangea macrophylla 'Red Sensation' is soaked well – place the shrub in a bucket of luke-warm water, prior to planting. Prepare a wide hole and loosen the soil with a fork. Plant the hydrangea at the correct depth – the top of the root ball should be just below ground level. Refill the hole with soil and press firmly down. Water immediately after planting. Hydrangea macrophylla 'Red Sensation' thrives 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. This hydrangea also does well in a large pot on your patio or decking. Make sure you choose a pot with adequate drainage.

The gorgeous Hydrangea macrophylla 'Red Sensation' is suitable for every garden. The large, double, red 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 greenish red, turn a wonderful bright red and fade back to green at the end of the summer! It still looks 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.

This shrub really hates dry soil, so give your 'Red Sensation' Hydrangea extra water during dry periods. Apply a mulch of compost and garden fertiliser every year in early spring.

Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Red Sensation’ flowers on one-year old wood. Each year in spring, you can cut the whole bush back to about 40 cm above the ground. If you prune in March, your hydrangea will become bushier. Hydrangea ‘Red Sensation’ is resistant to frost!