{"product_id":"ayesha-popcorn-hydrangea-hydrangea-macrophylla-ayesha","title":"Ayesha Popcorn Hydrangea - Hydrangea macrophylla 'Ayesha'","description":"\u003cp\u003eAyesha Popcorn Hydrangea (\u003cem\u003eHydrangea macrophylla\u003c\/em\u003e 'Ayesha') is a deciduous shrub about 1.5m tall and wide, with softly scented, rounded flower heads in lilac pink. Up close the petals are tiny, slightly curled and spoon shaped, which gives the heads a popcorn look. Soft light green leaves and good cold hardiness make it a woodland and cottage garden plant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUnusual petals.\u003c\/strong\u003e Tiny, spoon shaped, slightly curled petals give the heads a texture unlike an ordinary mophead.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMother-of-pearl colour.\u003c\/strong\u003e Shades of lilac, blush and pale blue shift with your soil: alkaline ground gives pinker flowers, acid ground bluer ones, and a neutral pH keeps them lilac.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA light perfume.\u003c\/strong\u003e Unusually for a hydrangea, the flowers carry a soft scent.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCold hardy.\u003c\/strong\u003e It copes with cold winters, dropping its leaves and returning in spring.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShade and pots.\u003c\/strong\u003e It suits shade gardens, woodland planting and large containers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWoodland and cottage borders.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 1.2m apart in dappled shade. At 1.5m wide the shrubs overlap into a soft, fragrant mass.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShady corners.\u003c\/strong\u003e Use it beside a path or seat, where the light scent can be enjoyed at close range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContainers.\u003c\/strong\u003e A large pot works on a shaded patio, provided it never dries out in summer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Ayesha Popcorn Hydrangea in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Part shade suits it best, and as a cold hardy plant it is at home in cool temperate and warm temperate gardens. In subtropical gardens give it deep afternoon shade. Protect it from harsh sunlight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Rich, moisture holding soil that drains freely. Dig in compost, then mulch to keep the roots cool. Soil pH steers the colour from pink to blue.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Water regularly for the first two to three months while it establishes, and give plenty of water in dry periods. Apply a slow release fertiliser in early spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e It flowers on old wood, so site it where it has room and avoid hard cutting. Cut off faded flowers just above a pair of healthy leaves. All parts are toxic if eaten.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAyesha Popcorn Hydrangea is sold as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. Tubes suit anyone planting several, and they put on steady growth in the first spring. Expect a small plant on arrival that builds towards flowering over a couple of seasons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOur grower supplies the tube stock, and supply is not always steady. 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\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\"\u003eOur full hydrangea range\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/hydrangeas-colour-and-growth\"\u003eHydrangea colour and pruning guide\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/fragrant-plants\"\u003eMore fragrant plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-partial-shade\"\u003ePlants for partial shade\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy is it called popcorn?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe petals are tiny, slightly curled and spoon shaped, so the heads look like clusters of little popped kernels rather than a smooth mophead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat colour will mine be?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat depends on soil pH. Alkaline soil tends to give pinker shades, acid soil bluer ones, and a neutral pH gives lilac.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it safe for pets?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Hydrangeas are toxic to dogs and cats if eaten, so plant it where pets cannot chew the leaves or flowers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube (Backorder)","offer_id":67790341341503,"sku":"HYD-MAC-AYESHA-tube","price":18.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/ayesha-popcorn-hydrangea-hydrangea-macrophylla-ayesha.jpg?v=1792208459","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/ayesha-popcorn-hydrangea-hydrangea-macrophylla-ayesha","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}