Fire Light® Hydrangea Tree for Sale - Buying & Growing Guide
A striking addition to any garden, the Fire Light® Hydrangea Tree, Hydrangea paniculata 'Fire Light,' truly lives up to its name with a brilliant show of blooms that lasts from mid-summer through late fall. The blooms start out a bright white, but gradually their color deepens to a vivid pink. The profuse blooms cover this small tree and contrast nicely with the dark green leaves. The blooms are excellent as cut flowers and can be dried to be used decoratively indoors. This hydrangea tree is an easy-care option for gardeners who don't want to spend hours fussing over their plants, and it requires little pruning. Need more reasons to purchase one? Here are three:
- Flower color is reliable regardless of soil pH.
- Grows throughout almost all of the continental U.S.
- Remains a petite six feet tall and can be container-grown.
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Plant Care
Sunlight
The Fire Light® Hydrangea Tree thrives in partial to full sun — at least four hours of direct sunlight each day.
Watering
Water about once a week, whenever the soil two inches below the surface is dry.
Fertilizing
Fertilize in early spring with a product formulated for woody plants, such as a rose fertilizer.
Planting and Care
Planting instructions
For northern gardeners, site your Fire Light® Hydrangea Tree where it will receive six or more hours of sunlight a day; southern gardeners in zone eight should place the tree where it will have some afternoon shade. Unpot your sapling and tease out any encircling roots, which can wrap around the root ball and slowly kill the tree. Dig a hole that’s as deep as the root ball and twice as wide. Place the tree in the hole, spacing out the roots. Holding it upright and steady, fill in around the roots with topsoil, tamping down as you go to eliminate air pockets. Water thoroughly. Apply a two to three-inch layer of organic mulch such as bark chips around the root zone to conserve moisture and hinder weed growth but keep it from touching the trunk to avoid problems with rot.
Watering and nutrients
Water your Fire Light® Hydrangea Tree about once a week, giving it an inch of water each time. When you experience very hot or dry weather, increase watering to several times a week. If you’re not sure whether it needs water, check the soil two inches below the surface. If it’s dry, give your tree a drink. Fertilize your hydrangea in early spring with a slow-release, balanced product designed for woody trees and shrubs, such as a rose fertilizer high in phosphorus to encourage blooming.
Pollination
Hydrangeas are monoecious, which means that a single tree has both male and female reproductive organs. With its bright flowers, the Fire Light® Hydrangea Tree is attractive to pollinators such as bees and butterflies, who may visit it when it’s in bloom.
Pruning
If you wish to prune your tree to shape it, do so in late winter before new growth begins. The tree flowers on new wood; so, winter pruning won’t eliminate any buds. In addition, monitor the tree for dead, diseased or damaged limbs, and trim these out whenever you see them.
Pests, diseases and animals
This hydrangea has few pest or disease problems. Common insect pests such as aphids or spider mites may appear on your tree, but if it is healthy, it should have no difficulty fending off infestation. The only disease you might see is powdery mildew, which is common in humid regions. A general fungicide can help and be sure to clear any fallen leaf litter or debris from around the base of the tree.
Achieving maximum results
One way to achieve maximum results with the Fire Light® Hydrangea Tree is to consider using it as a potted plant. In an appropriate-sized container, it can shine — imagine a matched set flanking your front doorway, for example. Choose a container that is roughly twice the size of the root ball, with good drainage holes. Using a good-quality potting mix, plant as per our directions above. Keep in mind that container-grown plants tend to need more regular watering than those in the ground. Every few years, unpot the tree and refresh the soil, trimming back roots lightly if necessary.
FAQs
Where can I grow a Fire Light® Hydrangea Tree
This sturdy plant grows just about anywhere in the continental U.S. except for semi-tropical southern regions. It is hardy down to -30 degrees Fahrenheit and will thrive in USDA hardiness zones three through eight. It can be grown as far south as northern Florida, Louisiana and Alabama.
How big does this hydrangea get?
This mid-sized hydrangea may achieve a mature height of about six feet, with a similar width. Its rate of growth is moderate, but growth should slow within a decade or less of planting.
How is the Fire Light® Hydrangea Tree best used in my garden?
This hydrangea makes an excellent addition to mixed shrub borders when placed near the back. A row of them lining a walkway or driveway would be spectacular. If planted in a container, it can be used as a focal point on a deck or near a pool. It's also a good choice for cottage gardens or flowering hedges.
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