Maintenance Landscaping Design

Firelight hydrangea is a beautiful plant that grows in dry, sunny areas. It has large, trumpet-shaped flowers that are usually red, orange, or yellow. The flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies, making it a great plant for your garden.

Also called

• Mountain hydrangea
  
• Tree hydrangea
  
• Snowball hydrangea
  
• Oakleaf hydrangea
  
• Panicle hydrangea

Common Knowledge

• The firelight hydrangea is a deciduous shrub that is native to Japan.
  
• It has large, cone-shaped clusters of white flowers that appear in summer.
  
• The flowers are followed by large, round fruits that turn red in fall.
  
• The shrub can grow to be 10 feet tall and 6 feet wide.
  
• It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil.
  
• It is tolerant of a wide range of soil types.
  
• It is generally pest and disease free.
  
• It can be propagated by softwood cuttings.
  
• It is deer resistant.
  
• It is a larval host plant for the Japanese white-eye (Zosterops japonicus).

Growing Steps

1. For firelight hydrangea, first step is to choose the right plant. You can purchase a plant that is already started, or you can start from seed.
   
2. If you are starting from seed, plant the seeds in a well-draining potting mix.
   
3. Water the seeds regularly, making sure the soil does not dry out.
   
4. Once the seedlings have germinated, transplant them into individual pots.
   
5. Place the pots in a sunny location.
   
6. Water the plants regularly, making sure the soil does not dry out.
   
7. Fertilize the plants monthly with a balanced fertilizer.
   
8. When the plants are about 6 inches tall, pinch off the tips to encourage bushiness.
   
9. Once the plants are established, they can be transplanted into the ground.
   
10. Water the plants regularly, making sure the soil does not dry out.

Related plant:
Firelight Tidbit Hydrangea

The Soil

About soil condition, firelight hydrangea grows best in moist, well-drained soil, but it is tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions, including dry, sandy soil. It also does well in average to slightly acidic soil.

Light condition

Similar to other hydrangeas, the firelight hydrangea thrives in sun to partial sun. It will produce the most flowers in full sun, but it can tolerate some shade. This shrub is a great addition to any garden because it is low maintenance and is a beautiful sight when in full bloom.

Ideal Temperature

The temperature condition that is ideal for the growth of the firelight hydrangea is between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. This plant prefers a shady location with moist soil. It is a good idea to provide some protection from the afternoon sun in hot summer areas.

Humidity Requirement

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is between 40 and 50%. If the humidity gets too low, the leaves will start to wilt and the flowers will droop. If the humidity is too high, the leaves will start to turn yellow and the flowers will fall off.

Fertilizer Requirement

Discussing fertilizer, this family of plant is known to be heavy feeders. They will need to be fertilized regularly, especially when they are young. An organic fertilizer is best, and can be applied every few weeks during the growing season. Be sure to keep an eye on the hydrangeas, as too much fertilizer can burn the roots.

Plant Pruning

Pruning is an important part of keeping your firelight hydrangea healthy and vibrant. The best time to prune is in the early spring, before new growth begins. You can prune away any dead or damaged branches, as well as any branches that are crossing or rubbing against each other. Trimming back the spent flowers from the previous season will also help encourage new growth.

Plant Propagation

Propagation of the firelight hydrangea is best done through softwood cuttings taken in late spring or early summer. The cuttings should be 4 to 6 inches long and taken from new growth. Cuttings should be taken from the tips of the stems, as these will be the most vigorous.

Growth Speed

Usually, the plant growth rate is determined by the type of plant you have. If you have a naturally slow-growing plant, you may not see much difference in growth rate with different types of fertilizer. However, if you have a fast-growing plant, you may want to use a fertilizer that is high in nitrogen to encourage even faster growth. Always follow the directions on the fertilizer package to determine how much to use and how often to apply it.

Basic Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are powdery mildew, leaf spot, and rust. These can be controlled with fungicide sprays. Aphids and caterpillars may also attack the plant, but they can be controlled with insecticide sprays.

List to Know

• Make sure to plant your firelight hydrangea in an area that gets full sun to partial shade.
  
• Make sure the soil you plant in is well-drained.
  
• When you first plant your firelight hydrangea, water it well and then keep the soil moist but not wet.
  
• Fertilize your firelight hydrangea once a month during the growing season.
  
• Once your firelight hydrangea reaches the desired height, you can prune it back to keep it from getting too leggy.
  
• If you live in an area where it gets cold in the winter, you will need to protect your firelight hydrangea with a layer of mulch.
  
• In the spring, your firelight hydrangea will produce clusters of white flowers.
  
• After the flowers fade, the clusters will turn pink and then red.
  

Similar Plants

• Firesprite (genus)
  
• Firespike (genus)
  
• Striped Firethorn (Pyracantha coccinea)
  
• White Firespike (Odontonema strictum)
  
• Giant Firespike (Odontonema strictum)
  
• Red-hot Poker (Kniphofia thomsonii)
  
• Hot Poker (Kniphofia uvaria)
  
• Yellow Hot Poker (Kniphofia hybrid)
  
• Flameleaf Sumac (Rhus copallinum)
  
• Scarlet Flames (Kniphofia hybrid)

Source:
Take a Look at Hydrangeas - Penn State Extension
Growing Hydrangeas - Center for Agriculture, Food, and the …
Hydrangea Paniculata ‘Limelight’ | NC State Extension