skip to main content

Help me choose LARGE hydrangeas!

dirtdigger_2006

16 years ago

I am planning a hedge of hydrangeas behind our new fence. My hubby really likes the large mophead variety - reminds him of his grandmothers home on Long Island. Any suggestions for mopheads with 12" flowers? Penny Mac may fall into this category I think, but would love your suggestions and we may have fun picking them! Thanks!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

ego45
16 years ago
Penny Mac have a smaller flowerheads than a Nikko Blue, at least in a my garden.
I guess, in MD z7, NB would be your safe and easy choice for RELIABLE bloomer.
If you'll be able to find Enziandom, you'll have a traffic stopper.
bluebetty
16 years ago
Penny mac is my best bloomer and biggest Hydrangea. I do have 2 Goliath Hydrangeas that are growing very slowly and seem to need a ton of shade. May do better in your area.
Related Discussions
Help to choose a pink-ish large flowered cl.
Q
Comments (32)
Hi Nik, We are also in zone 9 (central California) and are growing Awakening. It is quite vigorous and thorny and slow to repeat and suffered severely with powdery mildew in the spring. The flowers are not that exciting, around 3 inches across. We bought a grafted Radio Times rose (Rosa multiflora rootstock) around 3 years ago and planted it around 8 feet from the base of a Krauter Vesuvius flowering plum tree. RT decided the it would be more fun to grow as a climber and began to throw up long canes. The canes have invaded the canopy of this tree and you can now see huge (4-5 inch) spectacular flowers peeking through the purple foliage as you come down the street. Most of the flowers are, unfortunately, out of reach. And so one of my winter projects is to cut this monster back and plant it near a rail fence and train the canes horizontally. The repeat is much better than that of Awakening and the flowers are quite beautiful, thickly petalled and very fragrant. Downside: it is a bit thorny and suffers from a touch of mildew (as do many roses with exceptional fragrance) from time to time. Two other pink English rose climbers that we are growing are Spirit of Freedom (own root) and Wedgewood Rose (grafted). Both would be good roses for you to consider. Any yet another is The Generous Gardener, which is a blush pink to blush apricot. TGG seems to have less mildew than the others and has dark green, glossy foliage which is quite attractive. Good luck in your choice! John
...See More
Help me choose some clematis!
Q
Comments (1)
A top shelf plant sits in location two you need to review the hydrangea forum persoanly from me there is no way I would let a vine run anywhere in my hydrangeas if you realy want spring colors in location 2 rethink it to be a five foot or 6 foot roddie color choises are wide enough it will serve you and that hydragea well but will a roddie grow inbetween a couple oaks Hmmmmmmmmmm different forum there is just no way I would want a vine growing inbetween a hydragea Location one Anything you want for a climatis just look it up http://www.paradisegarden.com/shop/searchresults.php?category=clematis&browse=1
...See More
Help in Choosing Hydrangea?
Q
Comments (6)
i have several varieties. they all seem to be doing great. just make sure i out them in the right location. my limelight gets full afternoon sun and blooms amazing and grows like i weed. i have to keep trimming it. my annabelle is a beautiful pink and its planted along the east so it gets only morning sun...as does my mophead and its huge and has every color imaginable. i have variageted lacecap and they are along the north part of my shed and they get very little sun but are quite pretty with blue flowers. i have several planted this last year that are just now starting to bloom. i think i have an endless summer, blushing bride- its white with the edges tinted with a soft blue. i also have a few other varieties whose names are escaping me.
...See More
Help in choosing a large SUV
Q
Comments (54)
RE: Help in choosing a large SUV Posted by: beaglebuddy (My Page) on Mon, Mar 13, 06 at 21:59 Could an attorney please step in and explain this to johndeere ? If the person hit is injurded and is in the Hospital for a long period of time and has surgery and then needs Thearapy.Has to take medication for the rest of his life.Then his pain and suffering and lost wages and can not pay his bills.Who do you think pays?Just because your insurance pays $10.000 per victim medical and you have say a $600.000 Liabilty.Does not mean your off the hook.Just because that is all they will pay.Because chances are that will not cover it. If the victim dies.Your not going to get off cheaper.Because a funeral is cheaper then if they lived and had huge medical bills.Say the victim is 40 years old and made $50.000 per year.The family would recieve a minimum of $50.000 x until his kids are grown.Not counting pain and suffering. Insurance Co.Cover there rearend and will only pay so much.You pay the remainder and that very well could be the larger portion. Could a Dr. please step in and explain this to beaglbuddy?
...See More
yellowgirl
16 years ago
Hi Dirtdigger,

Penny Mac probably was not available to his Grandma back then and most PM that I've seen have smaller heads than Nikkos. (in general of course as many factors can come into play) If your Hubby is dreaming of big full billowing old fashioned and reliable blooms just like Grandma's, I'd be willing to bet Grandma had Nikkos. (and lemonade).....yg
lsimms
16 years ago
I almost didn't respond, but I must. Those large blooms are so beautiful and a major pain. The pain is the droop. And, dare I say it, a lot of a good thing might be too much.

I found that to be true in my Endless Summer hedge. The first years they drooped and then when they got to be a hedge, it was too much of a good thing.

The plants were so tall and the heads were so large, there was something about them that was a very surreal and not comforting, like Grandma's house. They were spooky. They weren't sweet. So I thinned and moved them. Give me the droop. The droop is sweet.

That's just my 2 cents, which might be worth 1 cent.
dirtdigger_2006
Original Author
16 years ago
Isimms THAT is funny! I'll go with the Nikko but I also bought a Penny Mac. Thanks everyone - and hello to you too yellowgirl!

Related Stories

FLOWERS Why You Should Give Hydrangeas a Place in Your Yard

By Laura Gaskill

The exuberant mop-headed beauties evoke dreams of an endless summer by the sea

Ideabook 911: Help Me Finish My Foyer

By Becky Harris

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Oakleaf Hydrangea

By Becky Harris

Consider this full, flowering shrub for year-round beauty in the garden as you plan your fall plantings

PETS 6 Ways to Help Your Dog and Landscape Play Nicely Together

By Marianne Lipanovich

Keep your prized plantings intact and your dog happy too, with this wisdom from an expert gardener and dog guardian

GARDENING GUIDES Sand Wasps Keep True Bugs in Check and Help Pollinate Summer Flowers

By Pollination Press LLC

Look for these solitary wasps nesting in sandy sites and foraging on flowers in July and August

FLOWERS AND PLANTS Hydrangea Arborescens Illuminates Garden Borders and Paths

By Curtis Adams

This long-blooming eastern North American native shrub finds a home in landscapes around the world

EXTERIORS Sawtooth Roofs Help Homes Look Sharp

Creating a distinct exterior is just one benefit of the sawtooth roof — it can help bring daylight into interiors as well

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: Help Your Home Blossom With Floral Decor

By Lucy McLintic

Sprinkle hints of spring around your rooms with fabrics, wall coverings and more that recall nature's charms

ORGANIZING Do It for the Kids! A Few Routines Help a Home Run More Smoothly

By Alison Hodgson

Not a Naturally Organized person? These tips can help you tackle the onslaught of papers, meals, laundry — and even help you find your keys

ORGANIZING Get the Organizing Help You Need (Finally!)

By Laura Gaskill

Imagine having your closet whipped into shape by someone else. That’s the power of working with a pro

Sponsored

Fresh Pointe Studio

4 Reviews

Industry Leading Interior Designers & Decorators | Delaware County, OH

More Discussions

When to add fertilizer? Zone 6b

3

"Little Spooky" hydrangea

1

Hydrangeas Pruning?

2

What are your favorite companion plants for hydrangeas?

1

Hydrangea (winter die back)

3