Red Hydrangea Varieties: 17 Stunning Scarlet Blooms To Grow
Explore top red hydrangea varieties for vibrant garden color and long-lasting blooms all season.
17 Red Hydrangea Varieties With Stunning Scarlet Blooms
When it comes to bold, vibrant hues in the garden, red hydrangeas are unparalleled. Their showy blooms, ranging from raspberry reds to deep burgundy and striking scarlets, add drama and lush color to borders, containers, and perennial gardens alike. Whether you’re seeking a compact plant for a small space or a grand centerpiece shrub, there’s a red hydrangea variety to suit every gardener’s needs. Below is a comprehensive guide to the most dependable and breathtaking red hydrangea cultivars available, including their unique features, ideal growing zones, and optimal uses in the landscape.
Why Choose Red Hydrangeas?
- Striking Visual Impact: Red hydrangeas stand out against lush greenery and other softer-hued blooms.
- Versatility: Suitable for containers, borders, mixed beds, or as statement specimens.
- Long Bloom Season: Many varieties flower from spring through autumn, providing months of color.
- Low Maintenance: Like most hydrangeas, these varieties require minimal care once established.
Understanding Red Hydrangea Coloration
Hydrangea color is often influenced by soil pH. Many red varieties are pH-sensitive and display their truest crimson and raspberry shades in alkaline soils. Acidic soils may cause colors to swing toward purple or even fuchsia. To maintain bold red blooms, test your soil and amend it as needed to keep it slightly alkaline.
Top 17 Red Hydrangea Varieties
Let’s explore the most popular and reliable red hydrangeas, complete with details on their appearance, size, hardiness zones, and recommended landscape uses.
1. Endless Summer® Summer Crush™
- Bloom Time: Summer (reblooms on old and new wood)
- Plant Size: 2-3 feet tall and wide
- Zones: 4-9
- Uses: Borders, containers, perennial gardens
- Notes: Raspberry red blooms in neutral to alkaline soil, purple in acidic soil. Compact and ideal for small spaces.
2. Cityline® Paris
- Bloom Time: Summer
- Plant Size: 1-3 feet tall and wide
- Zones: 5-9
- Uses: Patio pots, low borders
- Notes: Vivid red mophead blossoms. Excellent mildew resistance and compact habit.
3. Miss Saori
- Bloom Time: Early summer to fall
- Plant Size: 3-4 feet tall, 4-5 feet wide
- Zones: 5-9
- Uses: Cottage gardens, cut flowers, specimen plantings
- Notes: Double blooms with pure white petals edged in rich raspberry red. Unique and award-winning.
4. Lady in Red
- Bloom Time: Summer
- Plant Size: 3-5 feet tall and wide
- Zones: 6-9
- Uses: Woodland gardens, partial shade borders
- Notes: Lacecap variety with pinkish-red blooms deepening to wine red; known for red stems and veins.
5. Red Sensation
- Bloom Time: Early summer
- Plant Size: 2-3 feet tall, 3-4 feet wide
- Zones: 6-9
- Uses: Container plant, borders
- Notes: Deep magenta to true red mophead blooms, compact growth habit.
6. Magical Ruby Red
- Bloom Time: Early to late summer
- Plant Size: 3-4 feet tall and wide
- Zones: 5-9
- Uses: Foundation plantings, mixed borders
- Notes: Intense ruby-red mophead flowers that age to green and burgundy.
7. Everlasting Garnet
- Bloom Time: Summer through frost
- Plant Size: 2-3 feet tall and wide
- Zones: 5-9
- Uses: Containers, cutting gardens
- Notes: Rich garnet red blooms, excellent for cut or dried flower arrangements.
8. Fire Light
- Bloom Time: Late summer into fall
- Plant Size: 6-8 feet tall, 6 feet wide
- Zones: 3-8
- Uses: Large hedge, privacy screen
- Notes: Panicle hydrangea that opens white, matures to deep red-pink. Large and dramatic.
9. Ruby Slippers
- Bloom Time: Summer through fall
- Plant Size: 3-4 feet tall and wide
- Zones: 5-9
- Uses: Woodland edges, mass plantings
- Notes: Oakleaf type, white flowers turn to ruby red as they age, also features bold foliage.
10. Grateful Red™
- Bloom Time: Summer
- Plant Size: 3-4 feet tall and wide
- Zones: 5-9
- Uses: Mixed beds, accent plant
- Notes: Brilliant cherry-red blooms that can shift to purple in acidic soils.
11. Red Diamond
- Bloom Time: Summer
- Plant Size: 2-3 feet tall and wide
- Zones: 6-9
- Uses: Small gardens, urban landscapes
- Notes: Compact habit, deep red to burgundy mophead blooms.
12. BloomStruck®
- Bloom Time: Summer to fall (rebloomer)
- Plant Size: 3-4 feet tall and wide
- Zones: 4-9
- Uses: Borders, containers
- Notes: While best known for blue/purple, in alkaline soils can display vibrant magenta-red blooms.
13. Tilt-A-Swirl®
- Bloom Time: Summer through fall
- Plant Size: 3-4 feet tall and wide
- Zones: 5-9
- Uses: Feature plant, cutting garden
- Notes: Unique two-toned flowers swirling between rich red and green.
14. Maculata
- Bloom Time: Summer
- Plant Size: 3-6 feet tall
- Zones: 6-9
- Uses: Shade gardens
- Notes: Deep crimson lacecap flowers, preferred in dappled shade.
15. Preziosa
- Bloom Time: Summer to fall
- Plant Size: 3-5 feet tall and wide
- Zones: 5-9
- Uses: Woodland gardens, specimen plant
- Notes: Small, tightly packed blooms that mature from pink to rich red and burgundy.
16. Alpengluhen (Alpenglow)
- Bloom Time: Summer
- Plant Size: 3-4 feet tall and wide
- Zones: 6-9
- Uses: Borders, mixed beds
- Notes: Deep, glowing red blooms especially in alkaline soils, compact and cold-hardy.
17. Red Star
- Bloom Time: Summer
- Plant Size: 3 feet tall, 4 feet wide
- Zones: 6-9
- Uses: Mass plantings, accent shrub
- Notes: Mophead flowers in intense true red shades, great for reliable color in mild climates.
Factors to Consider When Planting Red Hydrangeas
- Soil pH: Red hydrangeas hold their color best in neutral to alkaline soils. Test your soil and adjust with lime if needed.
- Sunlight: Most red hydrangeas like morning sun and afternoon shade. Too much sun can scorch leaves or fade blooms, while too much shade may reduce flower production.
- Water: Consistent moisture is key, but avoid waterlogged conditions. Mulch helps conserve soil moisture and maintain even root temperatures.
- Hardiness: Most varieties are hardy in zones 5-9, but always check specific cultivar recommendations.
- Pruning: Reblooming types flower on both new and old wood, so prune lightly after blooming. For others, prune after flowering to avoid removing next season’s buds.
Planting and Care Tips for Red Hydrangeas
- Amend soil before planting to ensure good drainage and proper pH.
- Apply organic mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- Feed hydrangeas with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer each spring.
- Check for pests like aphids and powdery mildew, treating promptly if found.
- Protect from harsh winter winds, especially in colder zones.
Table: Red Hydrangea Varieties Overview
| Variety | Bloom Color | Size (H x W, feet) | Type | Zones |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer Crush | Raspberry Red | 2-3 x 2-3 | Mophead | 4-9 |
| Cityline Paris | Bright Red | 1-3 x 1-3 | Mophead | 5-9 |
| Miss Saori | White with Red Edge | 3-4 x 4-5 | Mophead | 5-9 |
| Lady in Red | Red (Lacecap) | 3-5 x 3-5 | Lacecap | 6-9 |
| Red Sensation | Magenta-Red | 2-3 x 3-4 | Mophead | 6-9 |
| Magical Ruby Red | Ruby Red | 3-4 x 3-4 | Mophead | 5-9 |
| Everlasting Garnet | Garnet Red | 2-3 x 2-3 | Mophead | 5-9 |
| Fire Light | Red-Pink | 6-8 x 6 | Panicle | 3-8 |
| Ruby Slippers | Ruby Red | 3-4 x 3-4 | Oakleaf | 5-9 |
| Grateful Red | Cherry Red | 3-4 x 3-4 | Mophead | 5-9 |
| Red Diamond | Burgundy Red | 2-3 x 2-3 | Mophead | 6-9 |
| BloomStruck | Magenta-Red | 3-4 x 3-4 | Mophead | 4-9 |
| Tilt-A-Swirl | Red/Green | 3-4 x 3-4 | Mophead | 5-9 |
| Maculata | Deep Crimson | 3-6 | Lacecap | 6-9 |
| Preziosa | Pink to Red | 3-5 x 3-5 | Mophead | 5-9 |
| Alpengluhen | Bright Red | 3-4 x 3-4 | Mophead | 6-9 |
| Red Star | True Red | 3 x 4 | Mophead | 6-9 |
Expert Tips for Achieving the Best Red Hydrangea Blooms
- Maintain Slightly Alkaline Soil: Apply garden lime if your soil is acidic to preserve red coloration.
- Provide Adequate Water: Water deeply once or twice per week, more during dry spells.
- Plant in Dappled Light: Protect from harsh midday sun but ensure ample morning light for abundant blooms.
- Fertilize Moderately: Excess fertilizer can promote leafy growth over flowers; use a balanced, slow-release formula.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I grow red hydrangeas in containers?
A: Yes! Many compact red hydrangea varieties (like ‘Cityline Paris’ or ‘Summer Crush’) thrive in containers. Ensure the pot provides good drainage and use quality potting soil. Regular watering and annual feeding will keep your potted plant healthy and blooming.
Q: Why is my red hydrangea turning purple or blue?
A: The color shift is due to acidic soil conditions. Red hydrangeas are pH-sensitive and require neutral to alkaline soil to maintain their signature red blooms. Test your soil and amend with garden lime if needed to increase alkalinity.
Q: Which red hydrangea is best for small gardens?
A: Compact varieties such as ‘Red Diamond’, ‘Cityline Paris’, and ‘Summer Crush’ are excellent for small spaces and containers, offering bold color without overwhelming your garden footprint.
Q: Are red hydrangeas as hardy as other colors?
A: Most red hydrangeas are just as hardy as pink or blue varieties when planted in their recommended zones. Look for resilient cultivars like ‘Fire Light’ or ‘Summer Crush’ for cold-hardy performance.
Q: Do I need to prune my red hydrangea every year?
A: Pruning requirements depend on the variety. Reblooming types flower on both new and old wood, so prune lightly to shape after the first flush of flowers. For other mophead or lacecap types, prune immediately after flowering to avoid removing next year’s buds.
Final Thoughts
Red hydrangeas offer gardeners an exciting alternative to more traditional pastel-flowered shrubs. Their luminous red tones, wide selection of forms and sizes, and year-after-year dependability ensure a vivid display in any garden. With the right soil, exposure, and care, your hydrangea beds can glow with captivating scarlet color all season. Plant a selection that suits your space, experiment with pH amendments if necessary, and enjoy the vibrant beauty these exceptional shrubs bring to every landscape.
References
- https://www.epicgardening.com/red-hydrangea-varieties/
- https://www.epicgardening.com/how-to-grow-hydrangeas/
- https://joegardener.com/podcast/assessing-hydrangea-cold-tolerance/
- https://southernlivingplants.com/plan-your-garden/guide-to-hydrangeas-getting-to-know-the-4-main-types/
- https://www.botanicalinterests.com
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