Plant Smooth Hydrangea 'Flowerfull®' (Hydrangea arborescens 'Flowerfull®') when you want bold summer flowers on a compact, easy-care shrub. You will enjoy large, rounded flower clusters that stand out against rich green foliage, plus a naturally tidy habit that fits well in mixed borders and foundation beds.
Give your plant evenly moist, well-drained soil, especially during heat or drought. Morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal in warmer areas, but it will also grow in full sun if you keep moisture consistent. Add a 2-3 inch layer of mulch over the root zone to help conserve water and keep roots cool; keep mulch pulled back from the stems.
At maturity, expect a height around 36-48 inches with a similar spread, making it simple to tuck into small spaces or repeat in drifts. Use it as a specimen, along a fence, or as a flowering anchor in a shrub border. The blooms are also useful for cutting fresh or drying for arrangements.
This smooth hydrangea blooms on new wood, so you can prune in late winter or early spring without sacrificing the season’s flowers. Remove weak or damaged stems, and if you want a shorter, denser plant, cut stems back to encourage strong new growth. Feed lightly in spring if your soil is lean, and water deeply during the first growing season to help it establish.