Hydrangea, macrophylla ‘Nikko Blue’

Magnificent, bright-blue flowers! A must for your butterfly garden!
‘Nikko Blue’ hydrangea is the most common class of hydrangea with bright, long-lasting blooms. The ‘Nikko Blue’ hydrangea has large, round flower heads that are a bold blue. The flowers bloom in late spring, over a rounded canopy of dense foliage. ‘Nikko Blue’ hydrangea have large, oval-shaped leaves that often taper to a point.

Hydrangeas are among the showiest of all the flowering shrubs, and the ‘Nikko Blue’ Hydrangea is a superstar. Spectacular in any landscape design, this dazzling shrub is versatile, vigorous and easy to cultivate. This shade of blue is rare to find in garden plants, but ‘Nikko’ delivers a deep blue that will be the focal point of your landscape. The flower color of the ‘Nikko Blue’ hydrangea depends on the acidity level of the soil. In acidic soil, this hydrangea has deep blue flowers, while in alkaline soil, the blooms tend to be lighter, and sometimes even pink. ‘Nikko Blue’ is an older vigorous cultivar which reaches 6 feet in height.

Plant Details +

Botanical Hydrangea macrophylla 'Nikko Blue'
Common Name Bigleaf Hydrangea
Family Hydrangeaceae (hydrangea Family)
Height 4-6'
Spacing 4-6'
Hardiness Zones 5-9
Exposure Full Sun-Part Shade (Hydrangeas benefit from some shade in the middle of the afternoon, especially in hotter regions.)
Foliage Rich Green
Flower Blue
Bloomtime Midsummer

Planting/Care Instructions +

Planting Instructions: 'Nikko Blue' 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 'Nikko Blue', 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. 'Nikko Blue' hydrangea requires moderate watering during the growing season. It should also be fertilized with a light fertilizer in March, May, and July.

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