Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Early® Pink™’ (Mophead Hydrangea)
Bigleaf Hydrangea | Early-season Pink Mophead Blooms
‘Early® Pink™’ is a compact, free-flowering bigleaf (mophead) hydrangea bred to bloom earlier than many macrophylla types. In neutral to slightly alkaline soils it develops rich pink flowerheads; in more acidic mixes it can shift toward mauve/lilac. Neat foliage and rounded heads make it ideal for semi-shaded borders and containers, and it’s lovely for cutting.
Plant Care
Sun: Partial shade (best: morning sun / afternoon shade). Shelter from harsh midday heat.
Soil: Moist, fertile, well-drained; enrich sandy soils with compost or coco peat.
Water: Moderate — keep evenly moist, especially in summer and in containers.
Fertilizer: Balanced feed in spring; optional light top-up mid-summer.
Pruning: Light only. Remove spent heads and dead/weak stems after flowering; avoid hard pruning (blooms on old wood).
Top tip: To keep blooms pink, maintain soil near neutral to slightly alkaline; add a little garden lime if very acidic and avoid aluminium sulfate/“blueing” agents.
Specifications
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Botanical name: Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Early Pink’ (Early® Pink™)
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Common name: Bigleaf / Mophead Hydrangea
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Growth habit: Compact, rounded, deciduous shrub
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Size: ±0.9–1.3 m H × ±0.9–1.3 m W (in SA garden conditions)
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Bloom time: Early summer into early autumn (earlier than many mopheads)
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Flower colour: Pink in neutral/alkaline soils; mauve/lilac in acidic soils
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Bloom (head) size: ±15–20 cm diameter (medium–large mopheads)
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Uses: Borders, feature shrub, large containers, cut flowers; reliable colour for semi-shade
Plant Breeders’ Rights (PBR)
This cultivar is protected under Plant Breeders’ Rights. Propagation is prohibited without written authorisation. Plants are supplied for ornamental use only.
Quick Facts
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Earlier-flowering mophead with dependable pink blooms
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15–20 cm flower heads; excellent for cutting
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Thrives in partial shade with consistently moist, rich soil
