Bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla 'Hortmaja' EVERLASTING JADE)

Overview

Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Hortmaja’ EVERLASTING JADE is a robust cultivar of the Bigleaf hydrangea cherished for its unique, long-lasting summer blooms. Bred specifically for the cut flower market, this variety features strong stems and leathery, dark green foliage, making it highly desirable for ornamental displays. Its flowers uniquely transition from a soft lime green base to a deeper green, finishing with striking bright red tips.

This deciduous shrub maintains a manageable, rounded habit, typically reaching 3 to 4 feet tall and wide under ideal conditions. Growers value the reliability of Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Hortmaja’ EVERLASTING JADE for providing consistent summer color, though gardeners must monitor soil moisture and light exposure for best results. As a Bigleaf hydrangea, it offers flexibility in the landscape, provided its moisture-retentive soil requirements are met.

The sturdy nature of the EVERLASTING JADE series ensures that its large flower clusters remain intact, offering excellent performance both in the garden and in floral arrangements. Successful cultivation depends on providing morning sun or dappled afternoon shade and maintaining consistent soil moisture, allowing this Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Hortmaja’ EVERLASTING JADE to thrive in its established hardiness range.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Hydrangeaceae
• Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-9
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 3-4 ft
  • Spread: 3-4 ft
• Bloom Time: July to August
• Bloom Description: Soft lime green aging to deep green with bright red tips
• Sun Exposure: Part shade
• Water Needs: Medium
• Maintenance Level: Medium

How to Grow

Plant Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Hortmaja’ EVERLASTING JADE in rich, well-drained soil during the spring or fall. While this Bigleaf hydrangea thrives best in part shade, it can tolerate full sun if the soil is kept consistently moist throughout the growing season. Soil amendments regarding pH are crucial for many hydrangeas, though this particular cultivar’s color reaction might differ; nonetheless, adding aluminum sulfate for bluer tones or lime to encourage pinker hues should be done well in advance, ideally in late autumn or early spring.

Watering should be medium and consistent, reflecting the shrub’s need for reliable moisture, especially when planted in brighter exposures. Mulching is highly recommended; apply a three-inch layer of shredded bark, compost, or peat annually to conserve soil moisture and moderate root temperatures. Pruning for this variety is minimal. If pruning is necessary, perform it immediately after flowering concludes by cutting stems back to a pair of healthy buds. In late winter or early spring, only remove stems that are clearly weak or show signs of winter damage.

Gardeners in colder regions, particularly USDA Zone 5, must provide winter protection. While many protective measures are visually intrusive, siting the plant in a sheltered area is the simplest defense against bud loss, which can prevent blooming in harsh winters common to Bigleaf hydrangeas. Remember that the beauty of Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Hortmaja’ EVERLASTING JADE is sometimes subject to unpredictable winter weather, regardless of homeowner efforts.

Landscape Uses

The manageable size of the Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Hortmaja’ EVERLASTING JADE, growing 3 to 4 feet tall and wide, makes it highly versatile in landscape design. It excels when utilized as a dense, structured hedge, providing a solid green backdrop for perennial borders or flanking entryways. Furthermore, this cultivar performs excellently as a specimen plant near patios or foundations where its unique green aging blooms can be easily admired up close.

For mass plantings, group several Bigleaf hydrangeas together in the shrub border for impactful drifts of color and texture during mid-summer. Due to its strong stems and robust nature, container growing is also a successful application, allowing gardeners to move the plant to optimal winter protection areas if needed. Pair it with shade-loving companions such as Hostas, Astilbes, or ferns which share similar cultural preferences for rich, medium moisture soils.

Standout Features

Flower Qualities

• Showy
• Good Cut
• Good Dried

Noteworthy Characteristics

Hydrangea macrophylla, commonly called big leaf hydrangea, is a deciduous shrub with a rounded habit that, in the St. Louis area, typically grows 3-6’ tall and as wide unless damaged by harsh winters or pruned smaller. This specific selection, ‘Hortmaja’ or EVERLASTING JADE, was bred by Kolster BV and stands out due to its leathery dark green foliage and long-lasting flower clusters favored by the cut flower industry. Its large blooms exhibit a progression of color starting as soft lime green before maturing to deep green touched with bright red tips.

Potential Problems

This Bigleaf hydrangea may occasionally face common issues like aphids, leaf spot, and mildew. Gardeners should monitor foliage closely, especially in humid conditions, to catch fungal issues like mildew early. For aphid control, a strong blast of water or insecticidal soap is often sufficient to manage minor infestations affecting the new growth and buds.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Bigleaf hydrangea suitable for?

Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Hortmaja’ EVERLASTING JADE is well-suited for USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 9. Gardeners in Zone 5 should ensure plants are sited in sheltered locations with extra winter protection to minimize bud damage.

How large does Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Hortmaja’ EVERLASTING JADE grow?

This shrub typically reaches a mature height and spread of 3 to 4 feet, maintaining a compact, rounded form.

What sun exposure does Bigleaf hydrangea need?

This plant performs best in part shade conditions. It can tolerate more sun exposure, but only if the soil remains consistently moist throughout the hot summer months.

When does Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Hortmaja’ EVERLASTING JADE bloom?

Bloom time extends from July through August, featuring distinctive flowers that start as soft lime green, age to deep green, and develop bright red tips.

Conclusion

The Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Hortmaja’ EVERLASTING JADE offers gardeners substantial value through its reliable summer flowering period and sturdy, attractive foliage. This particular Bigleaf hydrangea excels as a mid-sized specimen or hedge, giving garden designs a robust green anchor. Before planting, confirm that your local growing conditions fall within USDA Zones 5-9 and plan for its medium water requirements to ensure these spectacular green-tipped blooms develop fully next season.

Companion Planting

When planning the garden around your Bigleaf hydrangea, consider plants that thrive in similar conditions: rich, medium-moisture soil and part shade. Astilbes provide excellent textural contrast with their airy plumes, blooming either before or after the hydrangea, depending on the variety chosen. Hostas are perfect neighbors, offering broad, contrasting leaf shapes and colors, allowing the deep green leaves of the Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Hortmaja’ EVERLASTING JADE to stand out. Ferns, such as Japanese Painted Ferns or Ostrich Ferns, also create a lush, woodland feel that complements the moisture-loving nature of this shrub.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Spring marks the time for light maintenance; prune out any winter-damaged or weak stems from your Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Hortmaja’ EVERLASTING JADE in late winter to early spring before new growth begins. This is also the ideal time to refresh the mulch layer, ensuring about a 3-inch blanket surrounds the base to conserve moisture. Summer is primarily about consistent monitoring of water needs, especially during heatwaves; if the soil starts to dry out, provide deep, slow watering. Late summer marks the peak bloom period for this showy shrub, showcasing the unique lime-to-green aging process.