Hydrangea macrophylla Akadama ('SK2DAMA') PP2886

• Pollinators: Attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
• Wildlife: Typically deer-resistant, though young plants may need protection from deer or rabbits.

• Season: Spring through Fall
• Flowering Season: Early summer through fall
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-9

🏡 Foundation and Front-of-Border Planting

• Grows to around 3 feet tall and wide, ideal for the front of borders, walkways, and under windows.
  
• Excellent for adding bold, saturated color in small-space gardens.
  

🪴 Container Gardening

• Its compact, rounded habit makes it perfect for pots and planters, especially where space is limited or where you want eye-level floral impact.
  

🎨 Color Accent or Specimen Plant

• The vivid pink to blue mophead flowers create an arresting focal point in modern, cottage, or shade gardens.
  

💐 Cut Flower Gardens

• Long-lasting blooms and sturdy stems make it a natural choice for fresh floral arrangements or seasonal bouquets.
  

🌳 Mixed Shrub Borders

• Performs beautifully among other shrubs and perennials in part-shade borders, where its saturated blooms add visual richness.

• Color: Dark green, glossy leaves that complement the vibrant blooms.
• Shape: Broad, oval-shaped leaves with serrated edges.
• Size: Medium to large, typically 4-8 inches long, providing a dense and lush appearance.

• Color: Depending on soil pH, blooms can be bright pink in neutral to alkaline soils or deep blue in acidic soils.
• Bloom Time: Flowers emerge in early summer and persist through fall, providing continuous seasonal interest.
• Size of Blooms: Large, mophead flower clusters that can reach up to 8-10 inches across.
• Fragrance: Mildly fragrant.

• Best Time to Plant: Plant in early spring or fall, giving the plant time to establish its roots before the hot summer or frosty winter.

Planting Instructions:

• Soil Requirements: Prefers well-draining, rich, loamy soil. Soil pH can be amended to alter flower color—acidic soils for blue blooms, neutral to alkaline soils for pink blooms.
• Spacing: Plant 3-4 feet apart to accommodate its moderate spread.
• Depth: Plant at the same depth as it was in its container, with the crown at soil level.

Pruning & Maintenance:

• Pruning Needs: Prune lightly after the blooms fade to maintain shape and encourage new growth. Avoid heavy pruning in fall or winter, as it blooms on old wood.
• Deadheading: Remove spent blooms to keep the plant looking neat and promote further flowering.
• Winter Care: In colder zones, protect the plant’s base with mulch to prevent root damage from freezing temperatures. In mild climates, no special winter care is needed.

Watering Needs:

• Watering Frequency: Water regularly, especially during dry periods. Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged.
• Drought Tolerance: Hydrangeas prefer consistent moisture, so while they can tolerate brief dry periods once established, they thrive with regular watering.

Light Requirements:

• Preferred Light: Partial shade to full sun. In warmer climates, it performs best with morning sun and afternoon shade to prevent leaf scorch.
• Tolerates: Full shade in hotter regions, though blooming may be reduced without sufficient sunlight.

💐 For Fresh Cut Arrangements

• When to Harvest:
  
• Mid to late summer, when flowers are fully open and firm.
  
• Blooms may start pink or blue depending on soil pH.

• How to Harvest:
  
• Cut stems in the early morning using clean, sharp pruners.
  
• Place stems immediately in water.
  
• Snip just above a leaf node to encourage bushy regrowth.
  

🌾 For Drying

• When to Cut:
  
• When blooms begin to age and feel slightly papery, often in late summer to early fall.
  
• Color fades gracefully to antique tones, ideal for dried decor.
  
• Drying Method:
  
• Strip leaves and hang upside down in a cool, dark, dry area, or dry upright in a vase without water.
  
• Takes 1–2 weeks to dry completely.
  
  

Fertilizing:

• When to Fertilize: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring as new growth begins. Fertilize again after the first bloom cycle to encourage continued flowering.
• Type of Fertilizer: Use a fertilizer formulated for hydrangeas or a general-purpose fertilizer. Adjustments may be needed depending on soil pH for optimal bloom color.

• Mulching: Apply 2-3 inches of mulch around the base to retain moisture, keep roots cool, and prevent weeds.
• Pests: Generally pest-resistant, though aphids and spider mites may occasionally appear. Treat as needed with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
• Disease: Avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal diseases like powdery mildew or leaf spot, which can affect hydrangeas in overly humid conditions.

Pollination :

• Hydrangea macrophylla Akadama is self-pollinating, and its showy blooms attract a variety of pollinators such as bees and butterflies. The sterile mophead flowers do not typically produce seeds, but they add beauty and support the surrounding garden ecosystem.

Hydrangea 'Akadama' thrives in part sun to part shade, with moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Pair it with plants that emphasize or contrast its vivid mophead blooms:

🌿 Foliage Contrast

• Hosta spp. – soft blue or lime leaves add soothing texture beneath or around hydrangeas.
  
• Heuchera 'Berry Smoothie' or 'Lime Marmalade' – offers foliage contrast in bold or complementary tones.
  
• Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium niponicum) – silver-toned fronds add elegance and shade harmony.
  

🌾 Structural Companions

• Boxwood (Buxus spp.) – evergreen shape and simplicity balances the hydrangea’s color density.
  
• Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra) – provides a cascading, fine-textured base for the rounded blooms.
  

🌼 Colorful Blooming Partners

• Astilbe – feathery flower plumes and similar moisture needs.
  
• Campanula – bell-shaped blooms in blue or purple extend flowering diversity.
  
• Salvia nemorosa – spiky flowers offer vertical contrast and attract pollinators.