Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Red Beauty Purple’ (Mophead Hydrangea)
Bigleaf Hydrangea | Red-to-Purple Mophead Blooms
‘Red Beauty Purple’ is a compact, bushy bigleaf (mophead) hydrangea prized for its bold colour range—from deep red in neutral to slightly alkaline soils to rich purple/violet in mildly acidic mixes with available aluminium. The rounded, full flowerheads and tidy habit make it a standout for semi-shaded borders and statement containers. Excellent for cutting.
Plant Care
Sun: Partial shade (best: morning sun / afternoon shade). Shield from harsh midday heat.
Soil: Moist, fertile, well-drained. Enrich sandy soils with compost or coco peat.
Water: Moderate — keep evenly moist, especially through summer and in containers.
Fertilizer: Balanced feed in spring; optional light top-up mid-summer.
Pruning: Light only. After flowering, remove spent heads and dead/weak wood; avoid hard pruning (blooms on old wood).
Top tip: For purple tones, keep soil slightly acidic (±5.5–6.0) and apply a blueing agent (aluminium sulfate) sparingly. Very acidic soils may push blooms toward blue; more alkaline conditions intensify red/magenta.
Specifications
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Botanical name: Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Red Beauty Purple’
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Common name: Bigleaf / Mophead Hydrangea
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Growth habit: Compact, rounded, deciduous shrub
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Size: ±1.0–1.4 m H × ±1.0–1.4 m W (in SA garden conditions)
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Bloom time: Late spring/summer to early autumn
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Flower colour: Red → purple/violet depending on soil pH and aluminium availability
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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 may be protected under Plant Breeders’ Rights. Propagation is prohibited without written authorisation. Plants are supplied for ornamental use only.
Quick Facts
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Compact mophead with striking red-to-purple blooms
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15–20 cm flowerheads; great for cutting
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Thrives in partial shade with consistently moist, rich soil
