Listen up, folks, because there's a new garden border must-have on the block – and, naturally, it revolves entirely around the unexpected 'it' plant of the year: the Centennial Ruby™ Hydrangea.
We know, we know; it’s October, temperatures are dipping all over the country, and the holidays are hurtling towards us at breakneck speeds. Still, even if your flower garden is the furthest thing from your mind right now, it’s a fantastic time to grab a cup of joe, sit down, and dream up a gorgeous new planting scheme.
When you do, be sure to make room for this new cultivar. Because, while the majority of hydrangeas come in pretty pastel shades of pink, blue, purple, white, and green, the Centennial Ruby™ Hydrangea well and truly ups the ante with its dramatic red blooms that shimmer like a living jewel.
A Very Special Limited-Edition
Monrovia marks a century of horticultural excellence next year, which has prompted the company to debut their unexpected 'it' plant of the year – a rare red hydrangea macorphylla that darkens as it matures, resulting in color-shifting blooms that look like something out of a gothic fairytale.
“When we saw this hydrangea in our trials, we knew it was special,” says Jonathan Pedersen, CEO and president of Monrovia, who notes that the first 5,000 of these flowering shrubs will include a special tag, each with a limited-edition number.
All of which means, yes, the Centennial Ruby™ Hydrangea is well on its way to becoming a bonafide collector’s item.
A Garden Border Hero
Adding to this hydrangea’s status as the unexpected 'it' plant of the year is its wonderfully compact nature.
Topping out at 3 feet tall and wide, experts at Monrovia have described it as the perfect front border or container plant for anyone living in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 4-9.
“Centennial Ruby is the plant everyone will want in their garden,” says Katie Tamony, CMO and trend spotter for Monrovia.
“Its rich, saturated color speaks to design and garden trends. Gardeners are craving bold, romantic tones, and this plant really delivers that something special.”
Something For Everyone
Fancy planting one of these stunning hydrangeas in your garden borders? As always, it’s a good idea to run a soil test before planting any hydrangea, as they crave a soil pH of 5.5 to 6.5. While your local extension service can help, you can take matters into your own hands if you invest in a home testing kit like the MySoil test kit available on Amazon.
If, on the other hand, you want to showcast the unexpected 'it' plant of the year in your container garden, you’ll need a pot – and it should be a large one, at least 16 to 24 inches in diameter, with ample drainage holes. Something like the HC Companies Classic Round Plastic Plant Pot on Amazon should do the trick nicely.
Finally, be prepared to show your swanky new hydrangea some TLC in the form of a slow-release ferilizer every spring. Amazon’s Slow Release Hydrangea Fertilizer with Iron & Sulfur works well, so long as you take care not to use it after July (you don’t want to encourage tender new growth as the weather takes a turn for the cooler).
Of course, while the Centennial Ruby™ Hydrangea is the unexpected 'it' plant of the year, there are a few red hydrangeas out there that might help you get the same effect. And let's not forget, either, that there are other flowers out there that can deliver those shimmering jewel tones (like Amazon’s Oh My!™ Red Rose Bush, for example).
If you want that collector’s item vibe, though, not to mention that high impact pop of color, then stick to Monrovia’s ultra-special new plant.
After all, it’s guaranteed to turn heads, so long as your happy to put the work in…
Hydrangea Care Essentials
- Be sure to test your soil with this MySoil Test Kit to ensure the optimal growing conditions for your hydrangea.
- Use this slow-release hydrangea fertilizer from Amazon each Spring to keep your hydrangea happy and healthy.
- If growing your hydrangea in a pot, consider the HC Companies Classic 24" pot from Amazon. It's the optimal size for hydrangeas, has drainage holes, and comes in a variety of colors!
