Double Hydrangea You and Me 'Desire'

These spectacular new Hydrangeas are the result of exciting new breeding. They last longer, are larger, more prolific and fully double. The gorgeous flower colourings range from baby pinks, lilacs, blues and everything in between (colours vary with soil acidity/alkalinity). The distinctive, pleated petals add a little something special to these beauties.

An asset in courtyards, containers and gardens big or small. The flowers open from early summer and power on through autumn. These plants don’t need much maintenance and provide rich rewards.

You can manipulate the flower colour by adjusting the PH of the soil. Yates make it easy with Hydrangea Pinking Liquid (Lime/Dolomite) and Hydrangea Blueing Liquid (Aluminium sulphate). Acidic soils (6.0 or lower) will produce blue to lilac shades. Alkaline soils (7.0 and above) result in pinks.

This marvellous shrub has lush green foliage, mounding 90-100cm high but in containers it will be more compact. The flowers open on one year old wood so should be pruned after flowering.
Hydrangeas grow best planted in a sheltered position of the garden where the roots are cool and moist. It is a good idea to add plenty of organic matter to the soil as it will result in masses of stunning blooms. Keep the plants well watered and protected from the hot afternoon sun.

Hydrangea flowers are good for picking. To help make the flowers last longer, bring a bucket of water out with you to the garden, plunge them in as soon as you have cut the stem. Once you are inside, cut them again (cut the stem on an angle so it has more surface area and doesn’t’ sit on the bottom of the vase) and hold them in hot, boiled water for 30 seconds before arranging in a vase. If it starts to wilt, you can plunge it into a bath – they can rehydrate through the petals/stems and leaves. Absolutely desirable.