Strawberry Sundae is also one of the most winter-hardy cultivars.
Like all hydrangeas, the plant is toxic to humans and pets.
Strawberry Sundae Hydrangea Care
Here are the main care requirements for growing a Strawberry Sundae hydrangea bush.
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Less than six hours of sunlight results in fewer blooms and a leggy appearance.
The color of Strawberry Sundae is not affected by soil pH.
Hydrangea roots are shallow and dry out quickly but also recover quickly when hydrated.
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Temperature and Humidity
This cultivar is winter-hardy down to zone 4.
Withhold fertilizer after late July to discourage new growth as the shrub enters into dormancy.
Thebest time to prune this hydrangeais in late fall.
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Wait at least two weeks after the plant has dropped all its leaves.
you’re able to also prune in early spring before it starts to leaf out.
Propagating
Strawberry Sundae is a trademarked, copyrighted cultivar, and propagation by any means is prohibited.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Note that the flowers of this cultivar are sterile so they wont produce any seeds.
Potting and Repotting
Due to its compact size, Strawberry Sundae is well-suited to containers.
Choose a pot at least 16 to 24 inches wide, with large drainage holes.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Since the plant remains outdoors year-round, use a frost-proof container, such as wood or plastic.
Fill the pot withpotting mixand plant the hydrangea at the same level as in its original pot.
Place it in a location that receives six hours of sunlight daily.
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Ample spacing and proper pruning improve air circulation and cut down on the spread of disease.
If you detectaphidsormites, useneem oilto prevent an infestation.
What Do Strawberry Sundae Hydrangea Flowers Look and Smell Like?
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With less than six hours of sunlight, blooms will be poor.
Move container plants to a sunnier location and cut back surrounding vegetation for shrubs grown in the ground.
Too much nitrogen produces foliage but no flowers.
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When you fertilize in spring, use a bloom-boosting fertilizer high in phosphorus.
Pruning too late in spring also leads to reduced bloom if developing buds are removed.
Deadheading Strawberry Sundae Hydrangea Flowers
It’s fine to deadhead faded flowers.
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But if left on the branches, they can offer winter interest.
Common Problems with Strawberry Sundae Hydrangea
Strawberry Sundae hydrangea is generally free of issues.
New foliage at the top shades inner leaves causing them to fade and drop.
Proper pruning to allow more light exposure in the center of the shrub remedies this problem.
Stems That Begin to Droop
The large, pyramid-shaped flower panicles can cause the stems to droop.
Do not cut it back during the growing season, or else you will reduce the bloom.
Wait until the hydrangea enters dormancy in the fall to cut it back.
Vanilla Strawberry is much larger, growing nearly double the size of the more compact Strawberry Sundae hydrangea.
Do not cut back the bush too late in the spring.
Pruning too late will remove the buds that have developed on the new wood.
North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension.
