{"product_id":"amethyst-hydrangea-hydrangea-macrophylla-amethyst","title":"Amethyst Hydrangea - Hydrangea macrophylla 'Amethyst'","description":"\u003cp\u003eAmethyst Hydrangea (\u003cem\u003eHydrangea macrophylla\u003c\/em\u003e 'Amethyst') is a compact bigleaf hydrangea that reaches about 1m tall and 1m wide, small enough for a deck pot and substantial enough to anchor a border. Its large rounded flower heads open in soft pink and blue, and the exact shade follows your soil. It also handles a little more sun than most hydrangeas, which makes it an easier first plant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColour that follows your soil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Alkaline or chalky soil pushes the heads towards pink, acid soil towards blue, and neutral soil gives lilac. A cheap pH test tells you which way yours will go.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA size that fits small spaces.\u003c\/strong\u003e At about 1m by 1m it sits happily in a large pot on a balcony or deck as well as in a garden bed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMore sun tolerant than most.\u003c\/strong\u003e It still wants relief from harsh afternoon heat, but it copes with more light than the shade-only types.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage with a seasonal shift.\u003c\/strong\u003e Soft light green leaves move towards antique copper tones as the year turns.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGood for cutting and drying.\u003c\/strong\u003e The heads dry well, so a few stems from the plant make long-lasting indoor arrangements.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePots, decks and balconies.\u003c\/strong\u003e Use a pot at least 40cm wide with quality potting mix and keep it moist.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCottage and woodland-style borders.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 1m apart for a continuous border in rich soil, on the cooler side of the house or beneath open trees, with ferns and azaleas alongside.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCut flower patch.\u003c\/strong\u003e Group three or four plants together and you have armfuls of stems to cut or dry each summer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Amethyst Hydrangea in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Choose a partly shaded spot with morning sun and shade from the hot afternoon. Cool temperate gardens can give it more sun, while in subtropical gardens deep afternoon shade is essential. It is hardy when dormant, though a late frost can burn new spring growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Rich, moist, well-drained soil suits it. Dig in compost before planting and mulch about 5cm deep to keep the shallow roots cool. Keep the soil acid (around pH 5 or lower) for bluer heads, or neutral to alkaline for pinker ones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Water regularly for the first 8 to 12 weeks until established, then give plenty of water in dry periods, since hydrangeas wilt fast when thirsty. Feed once with a slow release fertiliser as growth starts in spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Bigleaf hydrangeas carry next summer's flowers on last year's stems, so never cut the whole plant back. Take faded flower heads off just above the next pair of leaves and cut out only dead or weak stems, or you will lose next summer's flowers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Amethyst Hydrangea as tube stock, in 140mm pots in packs of 10 and in 200mm pots in packs of 6. Tube stock is a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, building roots and leaves first, so expect modest flowering in the first year and heavier heads from the second summer. The 200mm pots carry a bigger root system and give a faster display.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hydrangeas\"\u003eBrowse the full hydrangea range\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/hydrangeas-colour-and-growth\"\u003eHow hydrangea colour follows soil pH and when to prune\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-partial-shade\"\u003eMore plants for partial shade\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003ePlants that grow well in pots\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I choose whether it flowers pink or blue?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo a degree. Acid soil gives bluer heads and neutral to alkaline soil gives pink, with lilac in between. Change the soil gradually and expect it to take a season or two to show.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it live in a pot all year?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Use a pot at least 40cm wide, water often and repot in late winter once the roots fill it. In summer, move it out of afternoon sun.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it safe for pets?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. All parts of a hydrangea are toxic if eaten, to people and pets, so keep it away from chewing dogs and cats.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube (Backorder)","offer_id":67787241881919,"sku":"HYD-MAC-AMETHY-tube","price":18.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"140mm (Pack of 10)","offer_id":67787242111295,"sku":"HYD-MAC-AMETHY-140MM-P10","price":283.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"200mm (Pack of 6)","offer_id":67787242144063,"sku":"HYD-MAC-AMETHY-200MM-P6","price":313.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/amethyst-hydrangea-hydrangea-macrophylla-amethyst.jpg?v=1792153856","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/amethyst-hydrangea-hydrangea-macrophylla-amethyst","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}