'Glowing Embers' hydrangea has a compact and dense habit that makes it suitable for the smaller garden. The full and dense mop-head flowers (up to 8 inches across) are a deep rose-red to a rich burgundy-purple, depending on the acidity of the soil. This hydrangea grows best in moist, well-drained soil with ample amounts of organic matter. 'Glowing Embers,' like most mop-head hydrangeas, is sensitive to drought-like conditions and will be the first plant in the landscape to wilt when dry. Mulching at about 2 inches deep is highly recommended. This plant is moderately salt tolerant. This plant blooms during the late spring and summer on the previous year's growth, often described as "old wood." This is one of the few hydrangeas to tolerate full sun, resisting fading and scorching of the foliage and flowers but they grow best in partial shade. To ensure the clearest pink flower coloration, grow it in soil with a pH above 6.5. Tried and true in all of North Carolina, this shrub is a real showstopper. VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers," a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Hydrangea macrophylla .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Wet
Available space
3 feet-6 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in. | Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping; Erect; Mounding; Rounded
Texture
Coarse
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Ovate
Leaf margin
Dentate
Leaf feel
Glossy; Smooth; Waxy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 3-6 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Flower color
Green; Pink; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy; White
Flower value
Good Cut; Good Dried; Long Bloom Season; Showy
Flower form
Corymb
Flower shape
Dome
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Large mop-head type with reddish-pink to crimson flowers that can reach 8" in diameter.
Poisonous to Humans; Problem for Cats; Problem for Dogs; Problem for Horses
Resistant to
Salt
Poison severity
Low
Poison parts
Flowers; Leaves; Stems
Poison symptoms
Gastronomical upset, including vomiting and diarrhea. They also can cause a decreased heart rate and lowered amounts of oxygen in the blood which can lead to breathing difficulties, and seizures. However, large quantities must be eaten for severe symptoms. They are more hazardous for cats and dogs due to their small relative size.