Hydrangea 'Lady in Red' PP#15,175

The red highlights really stand out in spring on this 3-foot-high, 4-foot-wide shrub. The leaves are large and toothy, glowing with red veins, stems, and petioles. And no matter how short or warm your spring is, the red coloration remains true right through summer.

The blooms arise most heavily in midsummer, each about 4 inches across and bearing the distinctive lacecap pattern of an inner circle of fertile flowers surrounded by an outer ray of sterile florets. New blooms are white with a hint of pink, gradually "blushing" until they are a deep burgundy rose. A fully blooming shrub has every shade of pink, rose, and red.

In autumn, the leaves turn a deep purple-red. Many Hydrangeas offer a bit of fall foliage color, but 'Lady in Red' glows brightly.

'Lady in Red' is the long-awaited introduction from Dr. Michael Dirr of the University of Georgia. Dr. Dirr has been breeding Hydrangeas for many years, but 'Lady in Red' is his first introduction — a master plantsman himself, Dr. Dirr knows that no new variety should be rushed to market. You can rest assured that this shrub has been extensively trialled, and that it meets the highest standards.

'Lady in Red' is happiest in partial shade and in well-drained, enriched soil. It makes a fine foundation planting, border knockout, or accent planting. Give it plenty of water, especially the first few seasons, for best growth and flowering. Space shrubs about 4 feet apart in the garden. Zones 5-9.