PlantFiles: Bigleaf Hydrangea Lacecap
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Lady in Red'

I bought this plant from a very nice greenhouse near me on Fall sale.
The plant is not as hardy as advertised, dying back to the ground in zone 6b. It took until May 12 to see any regrowth. But the leaves have a nice red blush, as that is the only thing that I got from them is leaves.

Will update this comment when, if ever, they bloom.

I like this hydrangea but, we have to cover for the winter. I do not get to many flowers which is what I want. The flower I get are pretty. But there are very few. If anyone wants some I can do some cutting if you walk me thru it.

I planted a one gallon plant 2 years ago in a 4' x 4' bed that gets mid to late afternoon sun. A rain spout empties directly into this small plot. It has grown to 3' x 3' and is now covered in buds. The first fall was iffy. It definately looked like it wasn't going to make it. Now it is just the picture of health. We had a severe draught last summer and it flowered like a champ. It never shows signs of duress, however, mine blooms in mid to late summer.

Hi ..This plant is very pretty,And I would like to get a start,if anyone has one.I have never heard of the L I R,Hydrange until I saw it on a garden show,Will it grow in central Tex.I hope not to many questions.LOL.And sounds like it grows in the same place as my green and varigated do.Thank you so much for all the information..I really appreciate it
Thanks Linda

I have 5 of these and each plant is different, except for the distinctive red veining. Some have bigger leaves, some are more compact and some are sprawling - all were bought at the same time. The one thing they do have in common is a distaste for any afternoon sun. They will wilt and flatten and look miserable with even a little afternoon sun. I've had to move them around to find the right spots and now they are looking pretty good.

I did have to prune some that were just too leggy so I can only hope for blooms next year. A pretty plant when happily situated.

They like a lot of water.

Pruning is not necessary, especially since ‘Lady in Red’ is a compact form. If you want to prune to improve the shape of the plant, be careful to prune shortly AFTER flowering because flower buds are formed on the previous season’s growth. Prune these hydrangeas only in the summer before July/August to be sure that you are not cutting off the stems that hold the flower buds for the next season. This hydrangea blooms on OLD WOOD, stems that have been on the hydrangea for at least 9-10 months, and sets its flower buds in late summer/early fall for blooms the following spring.

Sometimes some hydrangeas will defy this general rule, but for ‘Lady in Red’, be careful of your time of pruning to ensure blooms in the next year.

For older plants, older than 4-6 years old, the general rule is to remove about a third of the old wood by cutting them down at ground level during the summer. This allows for more light into the plant and it helps revitalize the plant’s new growth.

'Lady in Red' has lacecap flowers that open as pinkish white to bluish-white, depending on soil pH and turn a lush burgundy rose as they mature. The foliage is rich reddish-purple in the fall with distinctive red stems and veins throughout the growing season.

Selection from Michael A. Dirr and reported to be bred for mildew resistance, which is a problem with the species. Dull dark green leaves with red veins, petioles, stems, and fall color. Highly mildew resistant. Sincle row of 5 to 10 pinkish white to light blue ray-flowers held on long stems that age to burgundy-rose. Sepals are rounded and overlapping. Heads are 4" across with blue-purple fertile flowers.