How To Care For 'Strawberry Sundae' Hydrangeas

When a homeowner stumbles upon a landscaping problem, hydrangeas are always a trusty solution. Looking for an essential Southern flower to bring a garden to life? Hydrangeas. Wanting a low-maintenance perennial shrub that thrives in full sun? Hydrangeas. Hoping to boost curb appeal with colorful, heat-tolerant blooms? You guessed it—hydrangeas. There's a whole lot to love about the South's favorite flower. And here's yet another reason: a new selection called 'Strawberry Sundae' that's easy to grow, compact, and puts on a colorful show throughout the summer.

The most exciting feature of the 'Strawberry Sundae' hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata) is the stunning transition from white to pink to red throughout the season. They're also winter-hardy and provide color through fall. Passersby will stop in their tracks on the sidewalk to marvel at the ombré-colored hydrangeas blooming throughout your landscape. Plant these fast growers in early fall or early spring after the chance for frost has passed. Before adding to your yard, keep in mind that hydrangeas are toxic to pets and people.

Plant Attributes

'Strawberry Sundae' Hydrangea Care

The 'Strawberry Sundae' hydrangea's compact size makes it a perfect fit for smaller outdoor spaces in USDA Zones 3-8. Caring for this shrub is fairly easy. It will grow only 3 to 4 feet wide and 4 to 5 feet tall, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in vibrant, showy blooms throughout the season. Plant in well-drained soil in full sun to part shade and provide medium moisture. Spring and fall are the best times to plant. This selection is a part of the tried-and-true panicle hydrangea family, home to other favorite varieties like 'Limelight' and 'Grandiflora'.

Soil

Panicle hydrangeas like 'Strawberry Sundae' can tolerate almost any type of soil, including clay, as long as it is well-drained. Add a layer of mulch to conserve moisture in dry areas. Soil pH levels do not affect the color of this variety of hydrangea.

Light

Give these hydrangeas at least six hours of full sun for the best color and blooms. They need morning sun and afternoon shade in hotter climates.

Water

Although panicle hydrangeas like 'Strawberry Sundae' are more drought tolerant than other types, they still need water regularly during the first year after planting to help get established. This hydrangea variety needs heavy watering once a week during hot weather in the summer. Continuing watering will promote flowering.

Temperature and Humidity

'Strawberry Sundae' hydrangeas can be grown in USDA Zones 3-8. They can withstand colder climates, and their white flowers turn to pink and then red as the temperatures cool. In summer, they are drought-tolerant and tolerate the heat when given morning sun and afternoon shade.

Fertilizer

Though these shrubs are low-maintenance and don't require fertilizing, you can use a granular fertilizer each spring to encourage blooms and faster growth.

Other Types of Panicle Hydrangeas

• ‘Bobo’ is a compact panicle hydrangea that grows to 2-3 feet tall and wide, making it a good choice for containers. Its blooms change from white to pink. 
• ‘Limelight’ grows to 6-8 feet tall and wide, with lime green blooms that turn white and then pink. Its foliage is also an attractive feature in the fall.
• ‘Little Lime’ is a smaller version of ‘Limelight,’ with similar lime green blooms that change color and grow to 3-5 feet tall.
• ‘Pinky Winky’ clusters of conical white or pink flowers grow up to 16 inches long. It grows 6-8 feet tall and wide.

Pruning

You don't need to prune hydrangeas, but doing so can encourage fuller growth, reenergize an older plant, or control size. Prune to remove any dead wood and shape the plant in winter, after blooming is over for the season.

Propagating 'Strawberry Sundae'

‘Strawberry Sundae’ hydrangea is a trademarked cultivar and it is illegal to propagate it. Because its flowers are sterile, it does not produce seeds.

Potting and Repotting 'Strawberry Sundae'

The compact size of ‘Strawberry Sundae’ hydrangea makes it a good selection for containers. Use a large container at least 16 inches wide with drainage holes. Fill the bottom of the container with potting soil with some compost added. Add the plant to the pot so it is at the same level as in the original pot, fill in the surrounding area with soil, and pat down. Water the plant well and add a layer of mulch around the base. Water potted hydrangeas more often than those in the ground as they dry out faster. Move the hydrangea to a larger pot or plant it in the garden when its growth slows, after about two years.

Overwintering

If the hydrangea is planted in the garden, it doesn’t require special care during winter other than a thick layer of mulch around its base to protect the roots. Those grown in containers should be moved to a sheltered area for protection against wind and frost, and topped with a thick layer of mulch around the base. 

Common Pests and Plant Diseases

Common pests of the 'Strawberry Sundae' hydrangea include aphids, spider mites, Japanese beetles, and slugs. Soapy water or natural pesticide will help you tackle the problem. While this variety of hydrangea is less susceptible to diseases than other hydrangeas, you may see bud blight, leaf spot, powdery mildew, or bacterial wilt. Overwatering and too much shade can cause or worsen these diseases. To treat, spray with fungicides and improve ventilation within and around the plant. Rake up, remove, and dispose of any diseased debris around the plant. Water near the roots of the plant rather than over the top of it.

How To Get 'Strawberry Sundae' To Bloom

Expect these shrubs to start sprouting mid-summer with creamy white conical blooms. Later, as nighttime temperatures begin to cool off, the color will start changing to rosy pink. The blooms will keep transitioning to a deep strawberry red by fall. At specific points in the process, the flowers will look like vanilla ice cream drizzled in strawberry sauce—truly living up to its name by reminding gardeners of a favorite refreshing summertime treat.

To get the most out of the blooming season, give these hydrangeas enough full sunlight each day for prolific blooms, water regularly to keep the plant healthy, and don't prune too early. Snip blooms right before their peak for longer-lasting cut arrangements. 'Strawberry Sundae' hydrangeas can also be grown in containers.

Common Problems With 'Strawberry Sundae'

‘Strawberry Sundae’ hydrangeas don’t have a lot of common problems. They are low-maintenance and grow well in containers where soil conditions aren’t suitable. Watch for yellowing or browning leaves.

Leaves Turning Yellow

This can indicate watering or airflow issues. The plant may need more water. Check the top 2 inches of the soil for moisture. If the plant is dry, it needs more water but not so much that the soil remains soggy. Another cause for yellowing leaves is airflow. Thin out some branches to allow for better air circulation and don't plant too close to other plants.

Leaves Turning Brown

Browning leaves could be a sign of disease. If the leaves have brown spots, leaf spot or anthracnose could be the cause. Treat the shrub with fungicide and water at the roots instead of over the plant and onto the leaves.