Hydrangea 'Red/Purple Romance'

It is a tough choice between ravishing red and pretty purple flower heads. This early season Hydrangea with prolific blooms. The darker colouration of the leaves and flowers means it will cope better in sun than most Hydrangeas.

Hydrangea ‘Red/Purple Romance’ is easy care and compact enough to enjoy in containers as well as the garden.

This marvellous shrub has lush green foliage, mounding 70-90cm high but in containers it will be more compact. The flowers open on last season’s growth so they should be pruned after flowering.

Hydrangeas grow best planted in a sheltered position of the garden where the roots are cool and moist. It is a good idea to add plenty of organic matter to the soil as it will result in masses of stunning blooms.

Hydrangea flowers are good for picking. To help make the flowers last longer, bring a bucket of water out with you to the garden, plunge them in as soon as you have cut the stem. Once you are inside, cut them again and hold them in hot, boiled water for 30 seconds before arranging in a vase.

We suggest a soil pH level of below 5 (very acidic) if you desire the purple flowers, or 6.5 or higher (slightly acidic to alkaline) to achieve the red hue. Yates make it easy with Hydrangea Pinking Liquid (Lime/Dolomite) and Hydrangea Blueing Liquid (Aluminium sulphate). Acidic soils (6.0 or lower) will produce blue to lilac shades. Alkaline soils (7.0 and above) result in pinks.