Spotlight on: Twist 'n Shout Hydrangea

photo by The Gardening Life (me) taken at Greenland Garden Centre

Spotlight:

Twist-n-Shout hydrangea [Hydrangea macrophylla 'PIIHM-I' (PPAF)]

Twist-n-Shout is another big leaf hydrangea in the Endless Summer collection which blooms on new and old wood.  It is a lace-cap hydrangea with pink or blue blossoms, depending on the soil acidity.  It has sturdy red stems with large green leaves which turn burgundy-red in the autumn.  Hardy zones 4-9.  Beautiful planted in masses, amongst other hydrangeas or as a specimen plant. Though the Endless Summer site suggests they can be grown in containers, they would not overwinter in the colder regions of the country.

Photo by The Gardening Life (me) taken at Greenland Garden Centre

Twist-n-Shout Hydrangea was developed by Dr. Michael Dirr of the University of Georgia. Twist-n-Shout is a cross between H. 'Lady in Red' and H. ‘Penny Mac’, combing the best characteristics of both.

Sun Exposure	Partial Shade
Bloom Time	Flowers all season long, repeat blooms
Plant Color	Pink blooms in alkaline soil; blue blooms in acidic soil
Watering	Keep soil moist
Fertilizer	Slow release fertilizer in spring, no feeding after August 15th.
Height / Spread	3-5' / 3-5'
Shape	Rounded
Foliage	Green
Fall Foliage	Red-Burgundy
Zone	4-9

* this chart is from the Endless Summer site

photo from the Seattle Times

Changing the Color of Your Hydrangeas

Note: If you have alkaline soil, you will have pink blossoms on your Endless Summer Hydrangeas. If your soil is acidic, your blossoms will be blue. To alter your flower colour you may use the products described in this video or use aluminum sulfate as described on the package to alter the colour, turning it blue. Lime will turn the bloom pink. If your soil is in between acidic and alkaline, you will likely have mauve blossoms. Keep in mind, it takes about 1 year before any soil additives will take effect on the bloom colour. Remember, more is not better! Follow directions on your product to prevent damage to your plant.