Hydrangea paniculata Diamond Rouge® ‘Rendia’
Overview
Uses: Mixed borders, foundation plantings, specimen plantings, and cut or dried flowers.
Benefits: A compact panicle hydrangea known for some of the deepest red color in its class. Big blooms open white in summer and quickly turn rosy red, lasting into fall. Cold hardy and blooms on new wood every year.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4–8
Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Life Cycle: Deciduous Shrub
Growth Habit: Upright, Rounded — compact and sturdy.
Bloom Color: White, Red
Foliage Color: Green
Mature Height: 4–5 feet
Mature Width: 3–4 feet
Bloom Season: Summer, Fall
Growth Rate: Moderate
Summary
Some of the deepest red in any panicle hydrangea, on a plant compact enough for a foundation bed.
Diamond Rouge® opens its large flower heads white in summer, then flushes rosy red within a few weeks and deepens toward rich red as nights cool. The color lasts into fall, giving a long run of red after most shrubs have finished blooming.
It stays compact at four to five feet tall and three to four feet wide, so it fits foundation plantings and mixed borders where a full-size panicle hydrangea would crowd windows and walks. Sturdy stems keep the heads upright.
Like other panicle hydrangeas, it blooms on new wood every year, and its color comes from the plant rather than the soil, so it turns red in acidic and alkaline ground alike. The heads cut well and dry nicely for arrangements.
Care
Diamond Rouge® Panicle Hydrangea Care
Plant in full sun to partial shade. Full sun produces the strongest stems and the richest red; in hot summer regions, a few hours of afternoon shade keeps the flowers fresher.
It grows in most well-drained soils, from sandy loam to clay. Work some compost into very poor ground at planting time.
Water deeply once or twice a week through the first growing season while roots establish. After that, water during extended dry spells, when panicle hydrangeas show stress by wilting. A layer of mulch keeps the root zone cool and moist.
Feeding needs are light. One application of a slow release fertilizer in spring is plenty.
It blooms on new wood, so prune in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Cutting stems back by about a third keeps the plant compact and encourages sturdy stems. Dried flower heads can stay on through winter and come off when you prune.
Size
What Size is the Diamond Rouge® Panicle Hydrangea for Sale Online?
Our Diamond Rouge® Panicle Hydrangea ships in a greenhouse-grade grow pot and is appropriately sized for its container at the time of shipment. Plants ship dormant or near dormant in the off-season, so they may arrive with few or no leaves. If you have specific sizing or planting questions, please contact us.
How Large Does Diamond Rouge® Panicle Hydrangea Grow?
Expect about 4 to 5 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide at maturity, in an upright, rounded shape. Space plants about 3 to 4 feet apart for a low hedge or grouping.
Additional Information
How quickly do the flowers turn red?
The heads open white in summer and begin to flush pink-red within a few weeks, earlier than many panicle hydrangeas. Full sun and cool late-summer nights bring out the deepest color. In heavier shade the red develops more slowly and stays lighter.
How does it compare with taller red panicle hydrangeas?
Many panicle hydrangeas that age to red reach six to eight feet or more. Diamond Rouge® tops out around four to five feet, which suits smaller yards, foundation beds, and the middle of a border. Choose a taller variety if you want a hedge or screen.
Can I cut the flowers?
Yes. Cut heads in the morning for fresh arrangements once they begin to color. For dried flowers, let the heads turn papery on the plant late in the season, then cut and hang them upside down in a dry room. For more flowering shrubs, see our Shrubs & Bushes.
