Hamburg bigleaf hydrangea
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Hamburg'
USDA zones5 to 9
SunHandles full sun to full shade
WaterHandles moderate to wet soil
Size4 to 5 feet tall4 to 5 feet wide
- Growth rate
- Rapid
- Habit
- Mounding
- Bloom season
- Summer, autumn
- Bloom color
- Blue
- Foliage color
- Green
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay
- Soil pH
- Acidic for blue flowers (pH 4.5-5.5)
- Toxicity
- Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses
Garden uses
Notes
'Hamburg' bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla 'Hamburg') is a shrub for borders, containers, cottage gardens, and shade gardens. It is hardy to USDA zone 5, or down to -20°F (-29°C). This plant likes full sun to full shade and average to wet, sandy, loamy, or clay soil. It is not a favorite of deer, though hungry deer will eat almost anything. It grows fast into a mounding shape about 4 to 5 feet tall and wide. Acidic soil with a pH of 4.5 to 5.5 keeps the flowers blue.
Pairs well with Siebold's hosta, Japanese forest grass, Astilbe, and Autumn fern.