Hydrangea macrophylla Ruby Blossom™ (bigleaf hydrangea)
Ruby Blossom bigleaf hydrangea is more than a mophead, it's a spherical meta orb of round, double-stacked florets.
These double florets are fascinating to gaze upon - the inner circle of sepals are smaller than the outer circle, appearing nestled like a stack of 3 kitchen bowls.
In alkaline soils Ruby Blossom is colored hot crimson, as shown in the pictures. In acid soils flowers are purple.
Ruby Blossom is not wimpy about flowering - it's a heavy bloomer and sets lots of flower buds.
Fall color in November 2018 was a very nice caramel color. Be sure you scroll to the last picture because it shows the fall color.
This is a new type and we planted one in the garden this summer (2018). We'll keep writing about it here as we learn more.
Our other hydrangea with double florets is Miss Saori.
- double sterile florets on a mophead
- deeply saturated mophead
- single specimen and accent use
- large container use
- grouping and massing - large swaths
- flower and shrub borders
- tolerant of salt spray so great for maritime climates
- heat tolerant
- cut flowers
- long flowering period
- Spring: medium green
- Summer: medium green
Yes, I've come to the conclusion that Hydrangeas don't like to have their flower color profiled and clinically categorized like we humans try to do to everyone and everything. Please keep in mind that flower color varies widly and wildly depending on soil pH and the amount of aluminum actually in your soil, the amount of time aluminum has been availalbe to the plant (did you add Al only last month?), the unique propensity of how each cultivar reacts to Al, and if the flower heads get a touch of sunshine as they age.
The flower color is not as you described, it seems darker to me.
Same issues as when it's paler; say after me, "a-lum-i-num-a-vail-a-bil-i-ty plus time plus cultivar plus a touch of sunshine."
This is science for sure, but also a whole lot of art. Enjoy the outcome Mother Nature deals!