Strawberry Sundae Hydrangea

Hydrangea paniculata ‘Rensun’

Strawberry Sundae® Hydrangea is a compact, cold-hardy, and easy-to-grow deciduous shrub known for its stunning cone-shaped flower clusters that change from creamy white to soft pink and deepen into a rich strawberry-red as the season progresses. This low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, and long-blooming shrub is perfect for hedges, foundation plantings, mixed borders, and containers in Southwest Saskatchewan.

Planting & Location

• Hardiness Zone: 3-8 (very winter-hardy, ideal for prairie climates)
• Mature Size: 4-5 feet tall, 3-4 feet wide
• Growth Rate: Moderate (12-18 inches per year)
• Sunlight Needs: Full sun to partial shade (best flowering in 6+ hours of direct sun)
• Soil Preference:
  • Prefers well-drained, loamy soil.
  • Tolerates clay, sandy, and slightly acidic to neutral soils.
  • Avoid overly wet conditions, as hydrangeas dislike soggy soil.
• Spacing: 3-4 feet apart for hedging, 5+ feet apart for individual shrubs.

Watering

• Young Plants (First Year): Water deeply 2-3 times per week to establish roots.
• Established Shrubs: Drought-tolerant but benefits from weekly deep watering in dry conditions.
• Avoid Overwatering: Prefers moderate soil moisture but does not tolerate standing water.

Fertilizing

• First Year: No fertilizer needed—focus on root establishment.
• Mature Shrubs:
  • Apply a slow-release balanced fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) in early spring to encourage healthy growth and flowering.
  • Organic alternative: Compost or well-rotted manure in spring.
  • Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, as they promote leafy growth at the expense of flowers.

Pruning & Maintenance

• Best Time to Prune: Late winter to early spring, before new growth starts.
• How to Prune:
  • Strawberry Sundae® blooms on new wood, so pruning in early spring will not reduce blooms.
  • Remove dead, damaged, or weak branches to promote healthy growth.
  • Trim lightly to shape the plant and maintain size.
  • For larger blooms, thin out smaller stems to allow stronger growth on fewer branches.

lowers, Foliage & Seasonal Interest

• Bloom Time: Mid-summer to fall (July-September)
• Flower Color Progression:
  • Early season: Creamy white blooms
  • Mid-summer: Soft pink blush develops
  • Late summer to fall: Deep strawberry-red tones appear
• Fragrance: Mild to none
• Foliage:
  • Spring & Summer: Medium green, oval leaves
  • Fall: Leaves take on yellow and bronze tones before dropping

Pest & Disease Management

Resistant to: Drought, urban pollution, and most pests

Common Pests:

• Aphids – May cause curled leaves and sticky honeydew.
  • Solution: Spray with insecticidal soap or introduce ladybugs.
• Spider Mites – Can cause leaf discoloration in hot, dry conditions.
  • Solution: Hose off with water or use insecticidal soap.

Common Diseases:

• Powdery Mildew – White fungal coating on leaves in humid conditions.
  • Solution: Improve airflow and apply fungicide if needed.
• Leaf Spot (Fungal or Bacterial) – Brown spots on foliage.
  • Solution: Avoid overhead watering and remove infected leaves.

Winter Protection

• Highly winter-hardy—no special protection needed in Zone 3-8.
• Mulching: Apply 2-4 inches of mulch around the base (not touching the stems) to insulate roots.
• Pruning in fall is not necessary—leave flower heads for winter interest and cut back in early spring.

Landscape Uses

Perfect for specimen plantings, hedges, and foundation plantings
Compact size makes it ideal for small gardens and urban landscapes
White-to-pink-to-red blooms provide season-long interest
Low-maintenance and easy to grow
Great for fresh-cut and dried flower arrangements

Additional Notes:

• Strawberry Sundae® Hydrangea is one of the best compact hydrangeas for cold climates, offering continuous color change, large blooms, and reliable winter hardiness.
• Lifespan: 20+ years with proper care.
• Works well in modern landscapes, cottage gardens, mixed borders, and as a focal point.

Photo courtesy of Millcreek Nursery