Hydrangea macrophylla 'Glowing Embers'
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- hy-DRAN-jee-uh mak-roh-FIL-uh
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Hydrangea macrophylla 'Glowing Embers' has a compact and dense habit that makes it suitable for the smaller garden. The full and dense mop-head flowers (up to 8" across) are a deep rose-red to a rich burgundy-purple depending on the acidity of the soil.
This hydrangea grows best in moist, well-drained soil with ample amounts of organic matter. 'Glowing Embers,' like most mop-head hydrangeas, is sensitive to drought-like conditions and will be the first plant in the landscape to wilt when dry. Mulching at about 2 inches deep is highly recommended. This plant is moderately salt tolerant.
This plant blooms during the late spring and summer on the previous year's growth, often described as "old wood." This is one of the few hydrangeas to tolerate full sun, resisting fading and scorching of the foliage and flowers but they grow best in partial shade. To ensure the clearest pink flower coloration, grow it in soil with a pH above 6.5. Tried and true in all of North Carolina, this shrub is a real showstopper.
VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Hydrangea
- Species:
- macrophylla
- Family:
- Hydrangeaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Colorful
- Easy to Grow
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Mounding
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Corymb
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Good Dried
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Dome
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Large mop-head type with reddish-pink to crimson flowers that can reach 8" in diameter.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Smooth
- Waxy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Container
- Patio
- Riparian
- Walkways
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Fairy Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Salt
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- Gastronomical upset, including vomiting and diarrhea. They also can cause a decreased heart rate and lowered amounts of oxygen in the blood which can lead to breathing difficulties, and seizures. However, large quantities must be eaten for severe symptoms. They are more hazardous for cats and dogs due to their small relative size.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- hydracyanosides (cyanogenic glycosides).
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Flowers
- Leaves
- Stems
