Vanilla Strawberry Hydrangea for Attractive Summer Flowers
The unusual colors in the flowers distinguish this attractive summer-blooming shrub. Here's how to grow the unique variety in your garden. The deliciously named 'Vanilla Strawberry' hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata 'Renhai') has taken the gardening world by storm since its introduction in 2009, thanks to its stunning blooms. Beginning in mid-summer, the buds open into dense clusters of white flowers with pink centers. As they age, the flower heads take on a deep and rich blush, and the large, cone-shaped flowers continue to form throughout summer, giving this shrub a multi-colored effect with bright-white, beautiful new blooms of reddish-pink blooms. The distinctive rosy color lasts for weeks; Additionally, this popular hydrangea variety also has red stems. This show-stopping shrub grows in most parts of the country and is easy to care for.
Where to Plant Vanilla Strawberry Hydrangea
Like most panicle hydrangeas, 'Vanilla Strawberry' does best in full sun, although it appreciates afternoon shade in warmer climates in the southern and western parts of the country. Its mature height ranges from 6 to 7 feet with a spread of 4 to 5 feet, so plant it where it has room to reach its full size. This summer-blooming shrub is hardy in zones 4-9.
How to Grow Vanilla Strawberry Hydrangea
The two best times to plant 'Vanilla Strawberry' are in spring before rapid growth, and in late fall, when this panicle hydrangea is dormant. Choose a site with rich, well-drained soil or add compost if the soil is poor. Dig a hole deep and wide enough for the root ball to sit comfortably. Make sure the stem is at the same depth as the soil in its container.
Water your new 'Vanilla Strawberry' hydrangea well after planting. Depending on the size you start with, your plant will start flowering a year or two after planting. Pests and diseases are usually not a problem. And deer don't like hydrangeas, but to play it safe, use a repellent if you live where deer like to visit.
Pruning Vanilla Strawberry Hydrangea
Instead of the previous season's stems like some other hydrangea varieties, this type of hydrangea blooms on new growth. That means you don't have to worry about cutting next season's flowers when you trim your plant or when a late spring frost kills all the blooms for the season. Additionally, late-season blooms provide winter interest; They dry out and become parchment colored. The best time to prune this hydrangea is after the worst of winter's cold has passed—often in February or March—to remove old blooms and encourage new growth. You can reduce it again by a third every year.
Cut the hydrangea bouquets
'Vanilla Strawberry' makes an excellent cut flower. For stunning hydrangea bouquets, cut flowers and string several together. Or, add complementary flowers and foliage in purple and yellow for more variety in hydrangea bouquets. Flowers can also be cut and dried for interior decoration.
What to plant with vanilla strawberry hydrangea
Because of its size, 'Vanilla Strawberry' hydrangea is an excellent border or foundation shrub. It makes a wonderful flowering hedge plant. When it stands alone, the beautiful white, pink and red flowers are well complemented by small shrubs or plants in purple, similar shades of pink or low-growing evergreens.
Whether you're looking for a new flowering shrub for your garden or a cut flower for your vase, this hydrangea's large, beautiful blooms will provide long-lasting color that you can enjoy all summer long.
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