I planted Tuff Stuff Ah-Ha four years ago, in good soil with compost, in a border with 7 hours of sun. It had maybe three blooms the first summer after planting. The stems are notably less hardy to winter kill compared to 'Tiny Tuff Stuff' which I have two plants of. And it has never had a bloom on current year's wood. Very disappointed! I am in zone 6a.
Tuff Stuff Ah-Ha® Reblooming Mountain Hydrangea Hydrangea serrata
Exposure
- Part Sun to Sun
- Sun
Flower Season
- Summer
- Fall
Mature Size
Height: 2' - 3'
Spread: 2' - 3'
Height: 61cm - 91cm
Spread: 61cm - 91cm
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Details
24 - 36 Inches24 - 36 Inches24 - 36 Inches61cm - 91cm61cm - 91cm61cm - 91cmFeatures
When it comes to blooming, Tuff Stuff Ah-Ha® hydrangea can't stop, won't stop!
At first glance, it would appear that we decided to introduce this beautiful mountain hydrangea solely for its waterlily-like double florets. But that's only part of the story - it's also a prolific rebloomer. All summer long, it devotes its energies to creating flower buds on its new growth so that you have a constant supply of fabulous blooms from early summer through frost. Tuff Stuff Ah-Ha® hydrangea will bloom pink or blue, depending on soil chemistry.
Tuff Stuff Ah-Ha hydrangea is featured in our "Power Puff Girl" magazine ad.
Top reasons to grow Tuff Stuff Ah-Ha hydrangea:
- Creates new flower buds all summer long.
- Double florets look like pink or blue waterlilies.
- Flower buds are more cold-tolerant, which ensures good blooming even in USDA zones 5 and 6.
Continuous Bloom or RebloomerCharacteristics
Plant Type:ShrubShrub Type:DeciduousHeight Category:ShortGarden Height:24 - 36 Inches 61cm - 91cmSpacing:24 - 36 Inches 61cm - 91cmSpread:24 - 36 Inches 61cm - 91cmFlower Colors:BlueFlower Colors:PinkFlower Shade:Pink or BlueFoliage Colors:GreenFoliage Shade:GreenHabit:MoundedContainer Role:ThrillerPlant Needs
Light Requirement:Part Sun to SunLight Requirement:SunThe optimum amount of sun or shade each plant needs to thrive: Full Sun (6+ hours), Part Sun (4-6 hours), Full Shade (up to 4 hours).
Maintenance Category:EasyBlooms On:New WoodBlooms On:Old WoodBloom Time:Summer through FallHardiness Zones:5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9bWater Category:AverageUses:Border PlantUses:ContainerUses:Cut FlowerUses:Edging PlantUses:LandscapeUses:Mass PlantingUses:Specimen or Focal PointUses Notes:Tuff Stuff Ah-Ha hydrangea works in many landscape applications. We recommend a minimum of 4 hours of sun each day for best flowering and color. In hot climates, shade during the hottest part of the day is imperative.
Maintenance Notes:Tuff Stuff Ah-Ha hydrangea does not need pruning except to remove any dead wood in early spring. You should not cut back or trim this plant at any time of the year, as doing so will remove flower buds. Hydrangeas are shallow-rooted and benefit from a 2-3" layer of shredded bark mulch. If you wish, you may fertilize in early spring, once the ground has thawed, with a granular fertilizer formulated for woody plants, like a rose fertilizer.
This plant does not require deadheading, though if you wish to remove spent flowers, you may - we made a video showing how to do this.
Learn all about lacecap hydrangeas in our complete guide.
Fun Facts:Mountain hydrangeas, Hydrangea serrata, are native to the same areas of Japan as big-leaf hydrangea, Hydrangea macrophylla. However, big-leaf hydrangeas grow along the mild coast while mountain hydrangeas grow up in the mountains. As a result, they have naturally developed flower buds that are more tolerant to cold conditions than big-leaf hydrangeas, so they bloom more reliably in USDA zones 5 and 6.
Tuff Stuff Ah-Ha® Hydrangea serrata 'SMNHSDD' USPP 29,832, Can 6,515 -
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