Eclipse® Bigleaf Hydrangea

Plant in spring or fall, spacing 3–4 feet apart in moist, fertile, well-drained soil. Choose a location with morning sun and afternoon shade — bigleaf hydrangeas are prone to wilting in hot afternoon sun and their blooms fade quickly in intense heat. Dig a generous planting hole, amend with compost, and water deeply. Mulch 3 inches deep to retain moisture.

Remove only dead wood in early spring — avoid cutting back into healthy stems, which can remove flower buds. If old wood is damaged by a harsh winter, the plant will still bloom from new growth. Fertilize in spring with a balanced fertilizer. Soil pH influences flower color: acidic soil produces blue flowers, alkaline soil produces pink. Water consistently throughout the growing season, particularly during dry spells.