Dave Ramsey Hydrangea
David Ramsey Hydrangea is a beautiful reblooming bigleaf hydrangea known for its large, rounded mophead flowers and classic Southern garden appearance. Depending on the soil’s pH and the amount of available aluminum, the blooms may appear soft pink, lavender, purple, or rich blue. This changing flower color makes it an appealing choice for gardeners who enjoy the traditional look of bigleaf hydrangeas.
Flowering usually begins in late spring or early summer. With favorable growing conditions, David Ramsey Hydrangea may continue producing additional blooms through summer and into fall. Its lush green foliage and full flower clusters work well in foundation plantings, shaded borders, woodland edges, mixed shrub beds, and large containers.
Plant David Ramsey Hydrangea where it receives morning sun and protection from intense afternoon heat. This is especially important in Georgia, where strong summer sunlight can cause wilting and leaf scorch. Choose moist, well-drained soil and water deeply while the shrub becomes established. A two- to three-inch layer of mulch can help the soil hold moisture and keep the roots cooler during hot weather.
Because bigleaf hydrangeas form many of their flower buds on older stems, avoid heavy pruning. Wait until new growth appears in spring before removing stems that are clearly dead or damaged. Any additional shaping should generally be completed shortly after flowering. Our Old Wood vs. New Wood Hydrangeas guide explains why understanding a hydrangea’s blooming habit is important before pruning.
The University of Georgia Extension’s guide to growing bigleaf hydrangeas provides additional information about soil, bloom color, watering, and pruning. With afternoon protection, regular moisture, and careful pruning, David Ramsey Hydrangea is very dependable and can provide dependable color and traditional mophead blooms for many growing seasons. Add this sentence at the end:
Its rounded blooms also make beautiful additions to fresh arrangements and seasonal garden displays.
Plant Details
Plant Type: Deciduous flowering shrub; Bigleaf Hydrangea; Mophead Hydrangea
Sun Exposure: Part sun / part shade. Morning sun with afternoon shade is best, especially in Georgia heat.
Bloom Color: Pink Blooms to blue blooms depending on soil pH. More acidic soil leans blue; more alkaline soil leans pink.
Bloom Time: Late spring into summer, with repeat blooming from summer into fall when happy and deadheaded.
Mature Height: About 4–5 feet
Mature Width: About 5–6 feet
Hardiness Zone: Zones 6–9
Soil Moisture: Medium to consistently moist, well-drained soil. Don’t let it dry out hard in summer heat.
Deer Resistance: Low to moderate. Hydrangeas are not deer-proof, and deer may browse them, especially tender new growth and flower buds.
Care Level: Moderate. Needs steady water, afternoon shade in hot areas, and careful pruning.
Pollinator Friendly: Somewhat. Mophead hydrangeas are grown mostly for showy sterile flowers, so they’re not as pollinator-useful as lacecap or panicle types.
Pruning Time: Lightly prune after the first bloom, if needed. Remove dead wood in early spring. Avoid hard pruning late summer, fall, or winter because it can reduce blooms.
Notes
David Ramsey Hydrangea is a reblooming bigleaf mophead hydrangea with large rounded flower heads. It can bloom on old wood first, then rebloom on new growth. Deadheading spent flowers can encourage more bloom. Best with morning sun, afternoon shade, mulch, and consistent moisture. Bloom color can shift depending on soil pH.
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