{"product_id":"tosca-hydrangea-hydrangea-macrophylla-tosca","title":"Tosca Hydrangea - Hydrangea macrophylla 'Tosca'","description":"\u003cp\u003eTosca Hydrangea (\u003cem\u003eHydrangea macrophylla\u003c\/em\u003e 'Tosca') is a bigleaf hydrangea that grows to about 1.5m tall and wide, with large rounded mophead flowers that are most often a warm rose. Depending on your soil the heads can swing towards lilac or sky blue, or stay a softer pink, which makes it a living pH test. It is happy in the ground or in a tub.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA flower that tells you about your soil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Warm rose is the usual result, while softer pinks, lilac and blue shades turn up in other soils, so each garden gets its own surprise.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLarge mophead blooms.\u003c\/strong\u003e Big rounded heads in a spread of colours stand out against soft light green leaves.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMovable colour.\u003c\/strong\u003e In a tub you can move it to where the flowers harmonise best with their neighbours.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSolid mid-size shrub.\u003c\/strong\u003e At 1.5m by 1.5m it fills a bed without overwhelming a small garden.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClassic cottage character.\u003c\/strong\u003e Its relaxed shape suits cottage, woodland-style and cutting gardens.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContainers and tubs.\u003c\/strong\u003e Use a pot at least 50cm wide, so you can shift it around as the colour develops.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMixed beds.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 1.2m apart in rich soil and let the tops of the shrubs meet. It looks best in group planting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWoodland and cottage gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e Underplant with ferns, and place it where it gets morning sun and afternoon shade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Tosca Hydrangea in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Choose a partly shaded position, with protection from harsh afternoon sun. It suits cool temperate and warm temperate gardens. In subtropical gardens, plant it in deep afternoon shade with extra water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Rich, moist, well-drained soil. Pinker tones come from alkaline or chalky soil, bluer tones from acid soil, and lilac from neutral pH.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Water regularly for the first 8 to 12 weeks, then give plenty in dry periods. Top up with a slow release fertiliser as the new leaves appear in spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Next summer's buds sit on last year's stems, so avoid hard cutting. Snip off spent blooms above a pair of healthy leaves. All parts are toxic if eaten, to people and pets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Tosca Hydrangea as tube stock only. Tube stock is a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly once planted. Plan for leaf growth first and flowers building over the first couple of seasons. It travels upright and should be potted on, or planted out, soon after it arrives.\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\"\u003eShop all hydrangeas\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/hydrangeas-colour-and-growth\"\u003eChanging hydrangea colour with soil pH\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/how-to-lower-soil-ph-a-guide-for-healthier-gardens-and-lawns\"\u003eHow to lower soil pH for bluer flowers\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\u003eCan I make Tosca blue?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can nudge it. Acid soil gives bluer shades, so lowering the pH gradually can help, but expect the change to take a season or two and the result may be a lilac rather than a true blue.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy is it a surprise colour?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe flower shade follows the soil, so the same plant can open warm rose in one garden and lilac or blue in another. Tosca is usually a warm rose.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it hard to grow?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Give it morning sun, afternoon shade, rich moist soil and regular water, and avoid cutting it back hard.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube","offer_id":67787244536127,"sku":"HYD-MAC-TOSCA-tube","price":18.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/tosca-hydrangea-hydrangea-macrophylla-tosca.jpg?v=1792153948","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/tosca-hydrangea-hydrangea-macrophylla-tosca","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}