Bigleaf Hydrangea 'Cherry-Go-Round™' (Hydrangea macrophylla 'Cherry-Go-Round™') brings true cherry-red color to a compact, easy-to-place hydrangea. You get rounded mophead blooms and glossy green foliage on a shrub that fits well in smaller beds, foundation plantings, and patio containers. At maturity it typically stays around 24-36 inches tall, with a similar spread when given consistent moisture.
For the best flower display, plant it where it receives dappled light or part shade, especially afternoon shade in warmer areas. Morning sun with afternoon shade helps the plant hold bloom color and keeps leaves from wilting during summer heat. Rich, well-drained soil that stays evenly moist will support stronger growth and fuller flowering; add organic matter and keep a 2-3 inch mulch layer to moderate soil temperature and reduce moisture swings.
Water deeply during dry spells, particularly for first-year plants and for shrubs grown in pots. If you grow it in a container, use a large pot with drainage holes and check moisture often in summer. Blooms are excellent fresh cut flowers, and the rounded flower heads can also be harvested for drying once they begin to mature.
Prune with care. Bigleaf hydrangeas commonly set many flower buds on older stems, so heavy pruning can reduce bloom the following season. If shaping is needed, prune just after the main bloom flush and remove only what you must. In colder climates, protect stems and buds from winter wind and late freezes to improve flowering reliability the next year.