Hydrangea, macrophylla ‘Merritt’s Supreme’

Magnificent flowers! A must for your butterfly garden!
Hydrangea macrophylla, ‘Merritt’s Supreme’ is a mophead-like cultivar. Merritt’s Supreme is a tidy little hydrangea measuring in at a compact 4′ high and as wide. This smaller sized plant blooms a beautiful rose pink to purple in a high acid soil. It features sterile florets in huge spherical clusters. Flowers bloom in early July for up to two months. The flower heads stay in perfect condition turning to green, red, or purple autumnal tints.

Hydrangeas are among the showiest of all the flowering shrubs, and the ‘Merritt’s Supreme’ Hydrangea is magnificent. Spectacular in any landscape design, this dazzling shrub is versatile, vigorous and easy to cultivate. The flower color of the ‘Merritt’s Supreme’ hydrangea depends on the acidity level of the soil. The flower color of violet/blue or rose/pink hydrangea varieties often varies depending on soil pH. Plants grown in moderately acidic soil produce bluer flowers, while those planted in neutral to slightly alkaline soil produce pinker flowers.

Plant Details +

Botanical Hydrangea macrophylla 'Merritt's Supreme'
Common Name Bigleaf Hydrangea
Family Hydrangeaceae (hydrangea Family)
Height 3-4'
Spacing 3-4'
Hardiness Zones 5-9
Exposure Partial Shade. Hydrangeas benefit from some shade in the middle of the afternoon, especially in hotter regions.
Foliage Lustrous Rich Green Leaves
Flower Violet/Blue in acid soil; Rose/Pink in alkaline soil.
Bloomtime Midsummer to Early Fall

Planting/Care Instructions +

Planting Instructions: Merritt's Supreme' should be planted in moist, rich, well-drained soil. Dig a hole large enough to encompass the roots without bending or circling. Set the plant in place so the crown (part of the plant where the root meets the stem) is about 1-2 inches below the soil surface. When planting your 'Merritt's Supreme', the crown (where the stem meets the roots) should be placed just below ground level. Planting deeper can cause the roots to rot. Cover with soil to the original soil surface and water thoroughly. Once the shrub is placed in the hole, tamp the soil down around it and water. It is a good idea to mulch your hydrangea to help the soil to retain moisture. It should also be fertilized with a light fertilizer in March, May, and July. Hydrangeas require moderate watering during the growing season.

Pests or Diseases: No serious insect or disease problems. Some susceptibility to bud blight, bacterial wilt, leaf spot and mildew. Aphids are occasional visitors.