FIRE AND ICE HYDRANGEA

FIRE AND ICE HYDRANGEA Homeowner Growing & Maintenance Tips

• Recommended Soil:
• Prefers organically rich, well-drained soil with consistent moisture.
• Adapts to a variety of soil conditions when adequate drainage is provided.
• Unlike bigleaf hydrangeas, soil pH does not dramatically change the flower color.
• Apply mulch over the root zone to conserve moisture and moderate soil temperatures.
• Sun Exposure:
• Performs well in partial shade.
• Provide approximately 4-5 hours of sunlight for strong growth and abundant flowering.
• Morning sun with afternoon shade is best in particularly hot summer climates.
• Adequate sunlight helps support sturdy stems and excellent flower production.
• Irrigation Needs:
• Water regularly and deeply while the root system becomes established.
• Maintain reasonably consistent soil moisture during active growth and flowering.
• Provide supplemental irrigation during extended periods of heat or drought.
• Avoid prolonged standing water or constantly saturated soil.
• Feeding & Nutrients:
• Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer as new growth begins in spring.
• Organic compost can help improve soil structure and provide additional nutrients.
• Avoid excessive nitrogen, which can encourage leafy growth at the expense of flowers.
• Follow fertilizer label recommendations and avoid placing fertilizer against the stems.
• Pruning & Maintenance:
• Flowers develop on new growth produced during the current growing season.
• Prune in late winter or early spring before vigorous new growth begins.
• Remove dead, weak, damaged, or crossing stems to improve structure and airflow.
• Selective thinning can encourage fewer but larger flower panicles on established plants.

Family: Hydrangeaceae · Common Name: Hydrangea

FREE with every plant purchased:

• The Sooner Guarantee: For details, click here!
• A pre-applied, pre-measured amount of time release fertilizer that keeps your plant well nourished for up to one year.
• Pre-hydrated Hydro-Gels are included in the top of each container to use when planting as they help retain soil moisture, and plants will establish more quickly with less transplant shock. Plants will also survive drought-like conditions and accidental missed waterings better.
• Planting and Care Instruction brochure.
• Catalogs of new and exciting plant brands, such as Garden Debut® and Proven Winners®.

We use and recommend www.dripdepot.com for our irrigation needs, from simple to install micro and drip systems, to commercial grade irrigation parts and supplies.

Interesting Notes About FIRE AND ICE HYDRANGEA

• WIM'S RED or Fire and Ice?: They're the same remarkable hydrangea! The cultivar Hydrangea paniculata 'WIM'S RED' is known by many gardeners and horticultural references simply as WIM'S RED, but it is more commonly and widely recognized in the nursery and landscape trade as Fire and Ice Panicle Hydrangea.
• Three Colors, One Flower: The dramatic white, pink, and deep red display isn't produced by separate flowers planted together. Individual Fire and Ice flower panicles actually change color as they mature, creating several shades across the shrub at the same time.
• No pH Tricks Required: Unlike certain bigleaf hydrangeas whose flower colors can shift according to soil chemistry, the seasonal color progression of Fire and Ice is part of the cultivar's natural development rather than a reaction to soil pH.
• Flowers for Two Seasons: Fire and Ice blooms make excellent fresh-cut flowers, but their usefulness doesn't end there. Mature panicles can also be dried and enjoyed in arrangements long after the growing season has ended.
• Cold Doesn't Scare This Hydrangea: Panicle hydrangeas are among the most cold-hardy hydrangeas available, and Fire and Ice is rated for USDA Zones 3–8, opening the door to spectacular hydrangea flowers across an enormous range of climates.