N
The Global Insight

How do you take care of a strawberry vanilla hydrangea

Author

Mia Horton

Updated on April 24, 2026

Light. Strawberry Vanilla hydrangea flowers best (and with the best color) in full sun.Soil. The primary soil requirement for Strawberry Vanilla hydrangea is good drainage.Water. The bush has average water needs. Be sure to water it during periods of drought in the summer and or spells of particularly hot weather.

Should I cut back Vanilla Strawberry hydrangea?

Pruning Vanilla Strawberry Hydrangea To remove the old flowers to make way for new ones, and to encourage fresh growth, the best time to prune this hydrangea is after the worst of winter’s cold has passed (February or March). You can trim it back by as much as a third every year.

How often do you water Strawberry Vanilla hydrangeas?

Throughout its life a Hydrangea will do best with a deep watering once weekly during hot temperatures. Mulching at about 3 inches deep is highly recommended for hydrangeas. Mulching will cut back on watering needs and protect your plant in extreme temperatures.

How do you winterize a Vanilla Strawberry hydrangea?

‘Vanilla Strawberry’ hydrangea flowers are well suited as cut flowers. To save these showy blooms through the winter, cut and dry the flowers in fall.

How do you keep Vanilla Strawberry hydrangeas from drooping?

I’d prune down to a foot high in February. When new sprouts are a foot long and have a couple of stem buds on them, clip the tip of each one. The resulting new growth will be held higher and the blooms can droop a bit without touching the ground. In subsequent years, don’t remove the thick lower stems.

What month does Vanilla Strawberry hydrangea bloom?

Botanical NameHydrangea paniculata ‘Renhy’ (brand name is Strawberry Vanilla)Soil TypeFertile, well-drainedSoil pH5.8 to 6.2Bloom TimeMid-Summer to early fallFlower ColorBegins white, turns deep pink

Will Strawberry hydrangea grow in shade?

Vanilla Strawberry Hydrangeas grow well in full sunlight, part sunlight, or part shade, so you can be sure that they will grow well at any spot in your garden.

How big does a Vanilla Strawberry hydrangea get?

‘Renhy’, commonly sold under the trade name of VANILLA STRAWBERRY, typically grows to 6-8′ tall and to 4-5′ wide. Foliage habit is upright in early summer changing to cascading as summer progresses due to the added weight from the flower panicles.

Why is my Vanilla Strawberry hydrangea not turning pink?

Vanilla Strawberry Hydrangea’s flowers open up green-white. The flowers start off green-white. Then, when the temperatures drop later in the summer and it cools down, the flowers turn reddish-pink. If your late summer night temperatures are still quite warm, the hydrangea may not have that opportunity to change color.

How many years does it take hydrangeas to grow full size?

So the first year the cuttings pretty much are getting established, then the next one it’s growing, but there’s not really any old wood yet to bloom on, it may be 3-4 years for the plant to get established enough to really have an impact with blooms (huge beautiful hydrangeas).

Article first time published on

Why is my Vanilla Strawberry hydrangea not blooming?

If you have a hydrangea that won’t flower, you may have pruned it back too far the year before. Often, hydrangeas that aren’t producing flowers have been pruned in early summer and late winter. … The solution: Prune your hydrangea only in the early spring when you can see the dead wood.

Can hydrangeas grow in full shade?

Hydrangeas grow best in full sun (more than 6 hours sun) to part sun (4-6 hours sun). With that being said, all hydrangeas can handle some shade, but the timing and type of shade are important to consider. They can be in full shade during the hottest part of the day, as long as they are getting some morning sun.

How tall does a Vanilla Strawberry hydrangea tree get?

Though the mature Vanilla Strawberry™ Hydrangea Tree will grow as high as 8 to 10 feet, for best blooms prune the plant back to 6 to 8 feet every fall.

What happens if I don't deadhead hydrangeas?

The risk of it not blooming because of deadheading is non-existent, so you can take that worry out of the equation for good. Hydrangeas will only stop blooming if you over-prune them, causing the plants to divert energy into putting out new growth instead of producing flowers. This doesn’t happen with deadheading.

How do you bring a hydrangea back to life?

  1. Bring a kettle or pot of water to a boil and set aside to cool slightly. …
  2. Place the hydrangeas on the cutting board and use the sharp knife to cut the end of the hydrangea at a 45 degree angle. …
  3. Place the hydrangea(s) in the vase filled with hot water.
  4. Let sit for a minimum of one hour and voila!

Do hydrangeas like rain?

Hydrangeas love water, which is why they flourish in the rain. They look especially lustrous after a shower or when it’s drizzling, as though they’re glowing. The wetness makes their colours especially vibrant.

How do you revive a dying hydrangea?

To revive hydrangeas water them generously, apply a mulch of compost and protect hydrangeas from direct sun and too much wind. Prune back any frost damaged or sun burnt growth to promote healthy growth.

Can Vanilla Strawberry hydrangea be grown in pots?

You definitely can! Since Vanilla Strawberry Hydrangeas mature 6-7′ x 4-5′, don’t skimp on the size of the container. Be certain to pick a size that will give the roots room to grow and the top room to spread. The shape doesn’t really matter.

What can I plant with Vanilla Strawberry hydrangea?

Plants with purple foliage, such as coral bells, also contrast nicely with the color of Strawberry Vanilla Hydrangea. Fall blooming plants like sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ look pretty in front of this bush.

Is Miracle Gro good for hydrangeas?

All-purpose Miracle-Gro fertilizer is well suited for hydrangeas. Mix the Miracle-Gro fertilizer with water according to package instructions for the size of your hydrangea shrubs. Apply the Miracle-Gro fertilizer every other time you water, about every two to three weeks.

Is Baking Soda Good for hydrangeas?

You may ask whether adding baking soda will do any damage to your hydrangeas, and the answer is no, it will not harm them. It can even prevent fungal spores from spreading.

How do you prune a Strawberry hydrangea?

How to prune: Remove old stems and deadhead spent blooms so that the plant can use its energy and nutrients to promote new growth. To control shrub size, prune in late winter (The plant flowers on new wood), before new growth appears.

Do you water hydrangeas everyday?

Deeply water 3 times a week to encourage root growth. Bigleaf and smooth hydrangeas require more water, but all varieties benefit from consistent moisture. Use a soaker hose to water deeply and keep moisture off the flowers and leaves. Watering in the morning will help prevent hydrangeas from wilting during hot days.

Can hydrangeas grow in pots?

Hydrangeas in containers can be used on decks, patios or on stands in your garden. This plant, held atop an old column, adds an elegant touch. First, decide where you’ll put the hydrangeas. The beauty of growing them in pots is that you can move them around.

What side of the house do you plant hydrangeas?

No matter what part of the country you live in, the north-facing side of your home is largely without sunlight. Hydrangeas also thrive in wooded areas, so they do well when planted near small evergreens or woody shrubs.

How do I get my hydrangeas to bloom more?

  1. Plant smooth hydrangeas in full sun if the soil stays moist. …
  2. Water them during times of drought, especially during the heat of summer.
  3. Amend the soil with organic matter (such as compost).
  4. Prune stems back in early spring, just before new growth emerges.

Do hydrangeas need deadheading?

You should deadhead throughout the blooming season to keep your hydrangeas looking their beast and encourage new flower growth. However, stop deadheading hydrangea shrubs in mid to late fall, leaving any spent blooms in place.

Do hydrangeas like coffee grounds?

If you’re growing hydrangeas, use coffee grounds to affect their color. Coffee grounds add extra acidity to the soil around hydrangeas. … Seedlings thrive off the nitrogen content in coffee, so give them a boost by making a natural fertilizer from the grounds.

How do you care for a strawberry sundae hydrangea?

These hydrangeas will have the best color and most prolific blooms with full sun and proper watering. If you have a shady spot be sure it receives at least 6 hours or full sun. Hydrangeas are adaptable to any well-drained soil, but be sure they get enough water especially in the summer.

Do you fertilize hydrangeas?

Hydrangeas grow best if they are fertilized once or twice in the summer. Although some authorities recommend special fertilizer mixes to get the maximum results, hydrangeas do amazingly well with a more relaxed approach. Either chemical fertilizers or organic matter can be used successfully.

Is Vanilla Strawberry hydrangea the same as Pinky Winky hydrangea?

Similar to the Vanilla Strawberry® Hydrangea, the Pinky Winky® Hydrangea bush has huge pink and white cone blooms, but the Pinky Winky is extremely cold hardy even surviving growing zone 3 winters! … Large bloom clusters up to 16 inches emerge pure white in summer and deepen to rosy pink while the top remains white.