The Royal Majestics^® hydrangeas are a true gardener's plant with attributes that make them easy to grow. Plant in shade to partial shade (best with morning sun and afternoon shade). They make ideal borders, accents or mass plantings in groups of 3 to 5.

· Dig a planting hole twice as large as the root ball.
· Remove plant from container and place in planting hole.
· Level top of root ball with the ground.
· Backfill.
· Water.
· Mulch.
· Keep moist until established.

Midnight Duchess^®, Princess Lace^® and Queen of Pearls^® varieties: If needed, prune for shape after spring flowering. Avoid fall pruning as flower buds are set in fall for the following spring.

Mini Penny^TM variety: Remove spent flowers to increase blooms from spring to fall. If needed, prune for shape after flowering.

(Colder than Zone 6) Try container planting in colder zones for a beautiful summer combination with grasses, annuals or perennials. Simply bring the container into a garage or basement during the cold months allowing the plant to go dormant during the winter. Keep moderately moist but well drained during this period (just enough to keep the roots semi-moist). Place the container outside again when temperatures rise above freezing and your plant will be ready for new spring growth.

(Winter Protection Care for Zone 5)
During the cold winter months, add 2-3 inches of mulch around the plant to protect the roots from harsh temperatures. Pine straw, leaves, or cypress mulch are all good organic materials that may be used in the garden. Since climates can vary, even among specific regions, please contact your preferred local garden center professional for recommendations for your garden.

Princess Lace^® and Mini Penny^TM varieties: Determining what color your Hydrangea macrophylla will be is based on the pH of your soil. A low pH (acidic, levels 4-5.5) means that aluminum is readily available in the soil and your flowers will tend to be blue. A high pH (alkaline, levels 6-6.5) indicates less available aluminum in the soil and produces a pink color to the blooms. In the growing mix used by most nurseries, the sepals will be pinkish white to pink because aluminum is not present in the medium.

To blue the sepals, add aluminum sulfate. To have a pinker flower, add agricultural limestone, superphosphate or dolomite lime. Changing the color of the blooms can be tricky and variables in the pH of your water source can be a large part of the equation.

Consult your preferred Garden Center about rates and products to use for your specific area and be sure to follow the product directions as specified.