Hydrangea Alpengluhen

Lush crimson flowers of incredible size slowly deepen into purple tints reminiscent of the fading sun. Sunglasses are optional for this beauty. Abundantly produced over a 2- to 3-month growing season that begins in midsummer, its immense flowerheads (8 inches or more across) glow with dazzling, rich crimson that changes as summer progresses, deepening with age into luminous purple tints like a fading sunset.

Hydrangea macrophylla Glowing Embers (Alpengluhen) was developed almost 50 years ago, and is still considered the finest mophead. This German classic has often been difficult to find and, like all of our Hydrangeas, is among the showiest of summer- and autumn-flowering woody plants. Compact Glowing Embers is quite vigorous, only 3 feet tall and wide, with large, bold green leaves little troubled by pest or disease. Easy to grow in moist, well-drained soil in full to part shade, it performs well on the coast. Zones 6-9. One-gallon container.