Hydrangea Macrophylla – Hot Red®™

Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Hot Red’ (Mophead Hydrangea)
Bigleaf Hydrangea | Vivid Red Mophead Blooms

Hydrangea ‘Hot Red’ is a compact, bushy bigleaf (mophead) hydrangea that produces bold, dome-shaped flower heads in striking pink-to-crimson red. Bred for strong colour retention and neat habit, it’s perfect for borders, semi-shaded beds and statement containers. Excellent as a cut flower, with blooms that hold well on the plant.

Plant Care

Sun: Partial shade (best: morning sun / afternoon shade). Protect 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.
Fertilizer: Balanced feed in spring, optional light top-up mid-summer.
Pruning: Light only. After flowering, remove spent heads and dead/weak stems; avoid hard cuts (flowers on old wood).
Top tip: To keep the red colour, avoid acidifying/aluminium products; maintain soil near neutral (add a little garden lime if very acidic).

Specifications

• Botanical name: Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Hot Red’

• Common name: Bigleaf / Mophead Hydrangea

• Growth habit: Compact, rounded, deciduous shrub

• Size: ±1.0–1.5 m H × ±1.0–1.5 m W (in SA garden conditions)

• Bloom time: Late spring/summer to early autumn

• Flower colour: Pink-to-crimson red mopheads, good colour stability across soils

• Bloom (head) size: ±15–20 cm diameter (medium–large mopheads)

• Uses: Borders, feature shrub, large containers, cut flowers; good for semi-shaded gardens

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

• Compact mophead with vivid, long-lasting red blooms

• 15–20 cm flower heads; great for cutting

• Thrives in partial shade with consistently moist, rich soil