Alpengluhen Hydrangea

Alpengluhen Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla 'Alpengluhen') is a deciduous shrub about 1.2m tall and wide, with large flower heads in glowing pink-red to rich purple, depending on your soil. Soft light green leaves set them off. It is frost hardy and suits shady borders through spring and summer.

Why you'll love it

• Colour that follows your soil. Flowers run from vibrant pink-red in alkaline ground to a deep purple in acid ground, so the plant is colourful whichever you have.
• Frost hardy. It copes with cold winters, losing its leaves and returning in spring.
• Big flower heads. Large rounded heads light up a spring and summer border.
• Happy in shade. It likes a cool site with plenty of moisture, which makes it useful on the shaded side of a house.
• Other names. You may see it listed as Alpen Glow or Glowing Embers. It is the same plant.

Where it works best

Cottage and woodland borders. Plant 1m apart under trees or along a shaded fence. At 1.2m wide the shrubs overlap slightly into a soft mass of flower.

Containers. A large pot suits it on a shaded patio or entry. Keep it watered through summer and out of hot afternoon sun.

Mixed beds. Combine it with ferns and other shade lovers, giving each plant 1.2m of width to grow.

Growing Alpengluhen Hydrangea in Australia

Position and climate. A position in part shade to shade is best, with shelter from harsh sunlight. This one suits cool temperate and warm temperate gardens, and in subtropical gardens it needs deep afternoon shade. It is frost hardy once dormant, though a late frost can nip new growth.

Soil. Rich, moisture holding soil that still drains well. Dig in compost and mulch the roots. Soil pH sets the colour: alkaline soil pulls it towards red, and acid soil towards purple.

Water and feed. Keep the water up for the first two to three months while the roots settle, then give a good soaking through dry periods. Apply a slow release fertiliser in early spring.

Pruning. Macrophylla hydrangeas flower on old wood, so avoid hard cutting. Snip off faded flower heads just above the next pair of healthy leaves. All parts of the plant are toxic if eaten.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Alpengluhen Hydrangea as tube stock, in 200mm pots in packs of 6 and in 300mm pots. Tube stock is a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. The 200mm pots give a sturdier plant for a border, and the 300mm pot is the one to choose for an instant feature in a bed or planter. Expect the flowering to build over the first couple of seasons.

Tube stock comes from our grower and is not always available. When the grower has none, the tube shows as sold out, and the notify button on the page emails you the day it is back.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Our full hydrangea range
• Hydrangea colour and pruning guide
• More plants for partial shade
• Deciduous shrubs

Common questions

Will the flowers change colour?

Yes, depending on soil pH. Alkaline soil pushes the flowers towards pink-red and acid soil towards a deep purple, and either way they stay colourful.

How much shade does it need?

A partly shaded to shaded spot with protection from harsh sunlight, plus plenty of water in dry periods. Morning light with afternoon shade works well.

Is it toxic to pets?

Yes. Hydrangeas are toxic to dogs and cats if eaten, so grow it where pets cannot chew the leaves or flowers.