The Heart Throb Hydrangea is a new red hydrangea from the Southern Living Plant Collection. It produces beautiful cherry red bloom clusters with green marbling. These flowers emerge through summer and into early fall. This dwarf hydrangea reaches only 3 ft. tall and wide at maturity. No pruning required. Therefore, it’s perfect for containers, mixed garden beds, low-hedges and mass plantings. They’re hardy from USDA Zones 5 to 9. They grow best in part sun to full shade and need water 2-4 times per week for the first growing season, depending on the weather. They grow best in rich garden soil with good drainage. They are not guaranteed to be in bloom on arrival.
Heart Throb Hydrangea Care
Hardy from USDA Zones 5-9.
Plant in Partial Shade for best results. Several hours of sun in the morning with afternoon shade will support healthy bloom production.
Moreover, the Heart Throb can handle more sun than traditional mophead hydrangeas, but all day sun may result in foliage burning.
Well-draining soil is important for avoiding root rot.
Water regularly after planting. 2-3 times per week for the first growing season. This will allow the roots to establish deep into the soil, helping to ensure future success. During this time, check the soil around the Heart Throb Hydrangea. If the soil is drying out or remaining soggy, you will need to adjust your watering schedule accordingly.
Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer in spring, and reapply regularly according to your fertilizers instructions. A high phosphorus fertilizer will encourage this hydrangea to produce more blooms. However, over-fertilizing will result in decreased bloom production.
Spacing your Heart Throb Hydrangeas
Plant your hydrangeas 18-24″ apart from plant center to plant center for a seamless planting at maturity. Space them over 3 feet apart for space between plants.
Lisa Crane (verified owner) –
I am giving 3 stars because they are alive, but…..I would NEVER have purchased these 2.5 quart hydrangea plants if I had seen them in person. I am hopeful they will live and thrive, but I will never order from Plants by Mail again. I also ordered 2 gardenia plants….again, such poor plant quality and I never would have purchased had I seen them in person. I am an experienced gardener, so hopefully I can keep them going and thriving. Lesson learned.
Team PBM –
Good morning Ms Crane. I am sorry to hear that you had disappointments with your plants. As your customer service rep I am here to contact should you wish to contact me. So far I have not heard from you. My email address is [email protected] or phone 866-618-5659 – Christy
Lisa Crane (verified owner) –
I am giving 3 stars because they are alive, but…..I would NEVER have purchased these 2.5 quart hydrangea plants if I had seen them in person. I am hopeful they will live and thrive, but I will never order from Plants by Mail again. I also ordered 2 gardenia plants….again, such poor plant quality and I never would have purchased had I seen them in person. I am an experienced gardener, so hopefully I can keep them going and thriving. Lessson learned.
Shari Jones (verified owner) –
Very healthy looking plant when I received it. Can’t wait to see it in bloom.
Leonard NAPOLI (verified owner) –
Planted them just about a week ago, to early to review. I’ll wait to see if/when the bloom to update my review.
Pat Heath (verified owner) –
Cant wait to see the color!
Gioconda Villa (verified owner) –
The plant I received looked like it was handled roughly or careless, with some broken branches, not in the best shape, but the plant itself looks healthy with no disease issues, nor dying. I put it in my garden and it seems it is adapting but slowly, probably due to the mistreatment.
cathomas82 (verified owner) –
The plants arrived quickly and well packed. Looking forward to enjoying the red blooms.
nancy hollingsworth (verified owner) –
The plants arrived quickly and in good condition. They are doing great, but still too early for blooms.
Gloria Champine (verified owner) –
My plant arrived in good condition and is doing great. Thank you so much.
Rhonda Poole (verified owner) –
My Heart Throb Hydrangeas arrived in great condition and very healthy. I’ve placed them in pots on my front porch. We recently had a hard freeze, so I moved them into the garage for protection, but have since moved them back to the porch. They are thriving and I can’t wait for them to bloom.
Sandra Griffin –
Beautiful and so much color.