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Magical® Ruby Red Hydrangea Shrubs for Sale Online
Magical® Ruby Red Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla 'Ruby Red') is a striking ornamental shrub renowned for its vivid red blooms and long-lasting floral display. This compact hydrangea produces large, showy flower clusters that open in shades of deep ruby red, bringing a bold burst of color to your garden from early summer through fall. The blooms may take on rich wine-red tones as the season progresses, adding even more depth and beauty to your landscape. With its lush, glossy green foliage providing a stunning backdrop, Magical® Ruby Red Hydrangea makes a captivating focal point in any garden bed or container.
Magical® Ruby Red Hydrangea is ideal for adding vibrant color to partially shaded areas, as it thrives best in a location with morning sun and afternoon shade. It prefers well-drained, nutrient-rich soil that stays consistently moist, making it well-suited for garden borders, mixed flower beds, or large decorative containers. This hydrangea's compact size, reaching about 3 to 4 feet tall and wide, makes it an excellent choice for smaller garden spaces or as part of a foundation planting. Its bright, long-lasting blooms are also perfect for use in floral arrangements, bringing the beauty of your garden indoors.
In addition to its stunning appearance, Magical® Ruby Red Hydrangea is easy to care for and relatively low-maintenance, making it an excellent option for both experienced gardeners and beginners. Pruning can be done after flowering to maintain the desired size and shape, while regular watering and mulching will keep the plant healthy and encourage profuse blooming. Whether used as a specimen plant, in mass plantings, or in decorative containers, Magical® Ruby Red Hydrangea will provide your landscape with brilliant color and charm throughout the growing season.
Hardiness Zone: | 5-9 |
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Mature Height: | 3 to 4 Feet |
Mature Width: | 3 to 4 Feet |
Classification: | Flowering shrub |
Sunlight: | Part shade |
Habit: | Mounding, upright |
Foliage: | Deep green |
Flower Color: | Ruby red |
Soil Condition: | Any well drained soil |
Water Requirements: | Water well until established |
How to Care for Magical® Ruby Red Hydrangea
Before you buy a Magical® Ruby Red Hydrangea, make sure to read about the recommended care instructions to keep this plant healthy and thriving.
How Do I Plant a Magical® Ruby Red Hydrangea?
To plant a Magical® Ruby Red Hydrangea, start by selecting a location with partial shade—ideally with morning sun and afternoon shade—to help the vibrant red blooms develop their best color. Ensure the soil is well-drained and rich in organic matter, as hydrangeas thrive in nutrient-rich environments that retain consistent moisture. Begin by digging a hole that is twice as wide and just as deep as the root ball. Gently loosen the roots before placing the hydrangea in the hole, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with the ground surface. Backfill with a mixture of native soil and compost to enrich the soil and promote healthy root establishment. Water thoroughly to settle the soil around the roots and eliminate any air pockets. After planting, apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base of the Magical® Ruby Red Hydrangea to help retain soil moisture, regulate temperature, and suppress weeds. Make sure to keep the mulch a few inches away from the stem to prevent rot. During the first growing season, water regularly to keep the soil evenly moist, especially during dry spells, as consistent moisture is essential for healthy growth and abundant flowering. Space multiple hydrangeas about 3 to 4 feet apart to allow enough room for their mature size and ensure proper airflow. With proper planting and initial care, your Magical® Ruby Red Hydrangea will establish quickly, producing its signature rich red blooms and adding lasting beauty to your landscape.
How Do I Water a Magical® Ruby Red Hydrangea?
Watering a Magical® Ruby Red Hydrangea properly is key to ensuring healthy growth and vibrant blooms throughout the growing season. This hydrangea variety prefers consistently moist soil, so water it deeply about 1 to 2 times per week, depending on weather conditions. During hot or dry spells, it may need more frequent watering to keep the soil from drying out. To check if your hydrangea needs water, feel the top 2 inches of soil—if it feels dry, it’s time to water. Deep watering encourages strong root growth and helps the plant establish a resilient root system, which is particularly important during the first growing season. Using a soaker hose or watering at the base of the plant helps deliver water directly to the roots without wetting the foliage, reducing the risk of fungal diseases. Once established, Magical® Ruby Red Hydrangea becomes more tolerant of occasional dry periods, but consistent moisture will still promote better flowering and overall plant health. Applying a 2 to 3-inch layer of mulch around the base of the hydrangea will help maintain soil moisture and prevent it from drying out too quickly, especially during hot summer months. It’s important to avoid waterlogging the soil, as hydrangeas do not tolerate soggy conditions, which can lead to root rot. By providing the right balance of moisture, you can ensure your Magical® Ruby Red Hydrangea produces lush green foliage and stunning red blooms, adding vibrant beauty to your landscape all season long.
How Do I Fertilize a Magical® Ruby Red Hydrangea?
To fertilize a Magical® Ruby Red Hydrangea and promote its stunning blooms, it’s best to apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring as new growth begins. Use a fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio like 10-10-10 to provide essential nutrients that encourage healthy foliage and abundant flowering. Spread the fertilizer evenly around the drip line of the hydrangea—avoiding direct contact with the stem—and water thoroughly after application to help the nutrients reach the root zone. Avoid using high-nitrogen fertilizers, as these can lead to lush green growth at the expense of blooms. Organic options, such as compost or well-rotted manure, are also beneficial for enriching the soil and providing a slow, steady nutrient supply. In addition to spring fertilization, you can provide a light feeding of a high-phosphorus fertilizer, such as a 5-10-5 formula, just before the blooming period in early summer to boost flower production. If your soil is slightly acidic (with a pH of around 5.5 to 6.0), the vibrant red blooms of the Magical® Ruby Red Hydrangea will be at their best. It’s helpful to periodically test your soil’s pH, as adjusting the acidity with garden sulfur or lime can influence the intensity of the bloom color. By following a proper fertilization routine, you will ensure your Magical® Ruby Red Hydrangea remains healthy, produces its signature deep red blooms, and provides a stunning focal point in your garden throughout the growing season.
How Do I Prune a Magical® Ruby Red Hydrangea?
Pruning a Magical® Ruby Red Hydrangea is important for maintaining its shape, encouraging healthy growth, and promoting abundant blooms. Since this is a type of Hydrangea macrophylla, it blooms on old wood, meaning flower buds are set on the previous year's growth. To avoid removing potential blooms, it’s best to prune right after the flowering period, usually in late summer. Begin by removing any spent flower heads, cutting just above a healthy set of leaves to tidy up the plant. Additionally, remove any dead, damaged, or weak branches to improve air circulation, which helps prevent disease and promotes strong, healthy growth. To maintain a compact form and control the size of your Magical® Ruby Red Hydrangea, selectively prune no more than one-third of the oldest stems at the base of the plant. This rejuvenation technique encourages the growth of new shoots, ensuring vigorous flowering in the following season. Avoid heavy pruning in late fall or early spring, as this can remove developing buds and result in fewer blooms. Maintaining a balanced approach to pruning will help keep your Magical® Ruby Red Hydrangea healthy and thriving, with lush, deep red flowers that bring beauty and elegance to your garden.