Hydrangea macrophylla 'Ayesha'

Once you see the flowers of Hydrangea macrophylla 'Ayesha' you will never forget them. The large mophead blooms begin to open cream-white then shift to a pale, sky blue to light pink, depending on how acidic the soil.

The individual florets have unusual cup shaped petal-like sepals reminiscent of old fashioned lilac flowers. The flower heads open over a long period of time giving a soft two-toned coloring of cream and blue, or pink. It is one of the only hydrangeas to have a delicate light fragrance in bloom.

This deciduous shrub starts blooming in early-to-mid summer on a densely foliaged frame. White and silver-leaved variegated plants look great with its pale colored flowers. The fresh green foliage and heavy flowering will standout in the summer landscape against dark green conifers and broadleaf evergreens.

Ayesha will get 5-6 ft tall and about 6 ft wide and is hardy in zones 6-9.

Flower Specifications

Site: Sheltered
Soil: Any reasonably well drained soil, moist and fertile preferred
Position: Full sun or partial shade
Season of Interest: Spring, summer, autumn
Hardiness: Fully hardy
Height: 3-5’ (1-1.5m) Spread: 3-5’ (1-1.5m)

• Vigorous, this deciduous shrub has a round habit, typically growing 4-6 ft. tall and wide (120-180 cm).
  A part shade lover, it is best grown in rich, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Full sun is tolerated if constant moisture is provided.
• No serious pest or disease issues. Watch for botrytis blight, bacterial wilt, leaf spot, rust, mildew.
  Perfect from foundation plantings to container plantings. Massed in a sheltered location or as an accent plant. Effective as a hedge and makes excellent cut flowers too!
• Blue in acidic soils, the flowers turn pink in alkaline soils. To change their color, add aluminum sulfate to the soil to make the flowers bluer or add lime to the soil to make them pinker. Treatment should occur ahead of time (late fall or early spring).
• Remove spent flowers to promote new blooms.
• This beautiful deciduous shrub should be pruned after flowering by cutting back the stems to a pair of healthy buds. Prune out weak or winter-damaged stems in early spring.
• May cause mild stomach upset if ingested, and contact with foliage may aggravate skin allergies. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling.
• Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.