Merritt bigleaf hydrangea
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Merritt'
USDA zones6 to 9
SunHandles full sun to full shade
WaterHandles moderate to wet soil
Sizeup to 4 feet tallup to 4 feet wide
- Growth rate
- Rapid
- Habit
- Erect
- Bloom season
- Summer, autumn
- Bloom color
- Rose to red
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay
- Soil pH
- Acid, alkaline, neutral
Garden uses
Notes
'Merritt' bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla 'Merritt') is a shrub for borders, containers, cottage gardens, and cut flowers. It is hardy to USDA zone 6, or down to -10°F (-23°C). This plant likes full sun to full shade and average to wet, sandy, loamy, or clay soil. It grows fast to about 48 inches tall and wide, and rose to red flowers open from early to late summer. Deer rarely make it their first choice. Give it room to fill out.
Pairs well with Japanese forest grass, Autumn fern, and Stained Glass hosta.