Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Glowing Embers’
Overview
Uses: Mixed borders, foundation plantings, specimen plantings, and cut or dried flowers.
Benefits: A compact mophead hydrangea with big, rounded heads of deep reddish-pink flowers from midsummer into early fall, against glossy dark green leaves. Blooms on old wood, so prune right after flowering. Flowers lean purple in acidic soil.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5–9
Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Life Cycle: Deciduous Shrub
Growth Habit: Rounded, Mounding — compact and full.
Bloom Color: Red, Pink
Foliage Color: Glossy Dark Green
Mature Height: 3–5 feet
Mature Width: 3–5 feet
Bloom Season: Summer
Growth Rate: Moderate
Summary
Big, glowing red-pink mopheads on a compact hydrangea made for borders and bouquets.
Glowing Embers is a classic mophead bigleaf hydrangea grown for its color. From midsummer into early fall it carries large, rounded flower heads in deep reddish pink, set against glossy dark green leaves that make the color stand out even more.
The plant stays compact at three to five feet tall and wide, a good size for foundation beds and the middle of a mixed border. The heads hold up well when cut for the vase, and they can be dried for arrangements.
Like all bigleaf hydrangeas, its flower color responds to the soil. In neutral to slightly alkaline soil the blooms stay red-pink; in acidic soil they lean toward purple.
Care
Glowing Embers Bigleaf Hydrangea Care
Plant where it gets morning sun and some afternoon shade, especially where summers are hot. It can take full sun in cooler regions as long as the soil stays moist.
Bigleaf hydrangeas prefer rich, moist, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter. Avoid sites where water stands after rain.
Water deeply and regularly, especially through the first growing season and during summer heat; the big leaves wilt quickly when the soil dries out. A two-to-three-inch layer of mulch helps hold moisture.
Feeding needs are light. One application of a slow release fertilizer in spring is plenty. Heavy feeding pushes leaves at the expense of flowers.
Glowing Embers blooms on old wood, meaning next summer’s flower buds form on this year’s stems. Do any shaping right after flowering, and avoid cutting it back in fall or early spring. In spring, wait until buds swell, then remove only stems that are clearly dead. In the colder end of its range, a sheltered spot and a thick layer of mulch help protect the flower buds over winter.
Size
What Size is the Glowing Embers Bigleaf Hydrangea for Sale Online?
Our Glowing Embers Bigleaf 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 Glowing Embers Bigleaf Hydrangea Grow?
Expect about 3 to 5 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide at maturity, in a rounded, mounding shape. Space plants about 4 feet apart for a hedge or grouping.
Additional Information
What are some common names for this plant?
- Bigleaf hydrangea
- Mophead hydrangea
- French hydrangea
Why didn’t my hydrangea bloom this year?
Because Glowing Embers flowers on old wood, the most common causes are pruning at the wrong time, which removes the buds, and a hard winter that kills buds at the stem tips. Deep shade can also reduce flowering. Pruning only right after bloom and mulching well before winter give it the best chance to flower every year.
How do I keep the flowers red-pink?
Soil pH controls the color. Neutral to slightly alkaline soil keeps the blooms red-pink. If your soil is acidic, the flowers will drift toward purple; a light application of garden lime in fall or early spring helps hold the warmer tones. A soil test tells you where you are starting.
Is it good for cut and dried flowers?
Yes. Cut stems in the cool of the morning and put them straight into water for fresh arrangements. For dried flowers, leave the heads on the plant until they feel slightly papery late in the season, then cut and hang them upside down in a dry room. For more flowering shrubs, see our Shrubs & Bushes.
