Meet FlowerFull® Smooth Hydrangea! FlowerFull® is the first Hydrangea arborescens in the First Editions® Shrubs & Trees collection. Forget the flopping smooth hydrangeas of years past. FlowerFull® features sturdy, upright stems that can withstand wind and rain without bending and breaking. All of the strength, plus gorgeous white blooms make FlowerFull® a showstopping addition to any landscape.
One of the main improvements FlowerFull® features over similar smooth hydrangeas is strong stems that don’t flop when affected by wind, rain, or any other environmental factors. These sturdy stems will hold the beautiful white blooms upright all season long. Which means you get a cleaner, low-maintenance shrub!
With two-to-three times more blooms per season than other smooth hydrangeas, FlowerFull® makes an outstanding focal point plant. The pure white blooms stand out beautifully against the clean, dark green foliage.
The blooms emerge green, turn white, and slowly fade to green again as they age. No matter what stage the blooms are at, they stand out beautifully against the clean, dark green foliage.
Mature Height: 3-4 feet
Mature Width: 4-5 feet
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Hardiness Zone: 3-8
Heat Zone: 8
Shape: Rounded
Leaf Color: Dark Green
Bloom Color: White
Planting FlowerFull® Smooth Hydrangea is a breeze! Watch our how to plant shrubs video to get all the tips and tricks you need for getting your new hydrangea in the ground.
Step 1: Pick Your Spot
The first step is picking out the spot where you’ll plant FlowerFull®. Be sure to pick a place that will fit FlowerFull®® at its mature size of 3-4 feet tall and 4-5 feet wide, receives full to partial sun, and where the soil is well-drained and rich in nutrients. If you don’t have the ideal soil type, amend your soil before planting.
Step 2: Dig the Hole
Once the spot is picked out, you can start digging in the dirt! Grab a shovel and dig a hole that’s slightly larger than the pot FlowerFull® came in and deep enough so the base of where the plant meets the soil is flush with the ground.
Step 3: Place the Plant
Once the hole is big enough for FlowerFull®, place the plant in the middle of the hole and fill in with soil that you’d previously dug out.
Step 4: Water
Watering after planting will help FlowerFull® settle into its new home. With a garden hose, give FlowerFull® a good drink of water at the base of the plant, let the water soak in, and then water it once more.
Need tips on how to care for FlowerFull® hydrangea? We’ve got all the details on how to care for FlowerFull® and keep it thriving season after season.
Plant FlowerFull® in a spot that receives full to partial shade. FlowerFull® isn’t too picky about its sun needs, which makes it perfect for many landscapes.
FlowerFull® does best when planted in soil that’s rich in nutrients, otherwise known as loam soil. But don’t worry if that’s not the soil you have in your garden. You can always amend your soil to get the best soil before planting. To learn more about soil types and how to amend your soil, read our blog on the best soil for shrubs.
Smooth hydrangeas can handle medium to high amounts of watering, but make sure not to over water! Read our blog all about how to water shrubs and follow these tips when watering FlowerFull®:
Applying a simple 10-10-10 or similar fertilizer for shrubs at key times of the year will help your hydrangea produce more blooms.
Prune FlowerFull® Smooth Hydrangea in early spring while still dormant. Because this hydrangea blooms on new wood, it is quite tolerant of heavy pruning and can even be cut down to six to ten inches off the ground. Deadheading FlowerFull® isn’t necessary but can be done based on preference.
FlowerFull® is hardy to Zone 3, so it’s already equipped to survive the winter. If you want to provide your new plants with a little extra winter protection, read our tips on overwintering FlowerFull®.
Creating a good plant combination is the best feeling in the world, but it can be tricky to know where to begin. Plant pairings become second nature with our Best Buds series! We do the work for you so that you can plant and enjoy.
FlowerFull® Smooth Hydrangea + Matador™ Maple + Cobalt-n-Gold™ Hypericum
FlowerFull® is suited for many different types of landscapes, but if you need a jumping off point for how to incorporate it into your space look no further. We love this pairing with Cobalt-n-Gold™ Hypericum and Matador™ Maple. The varying heights, textures, and colors make for a beautiful display – especially in the fall!
FlowerFull® Smooth Hydrangea + Little Spark® Spirea + Cobalt-n-Gold™ Hypericum + Dwarf Fountain Grass + Biokovo Geranium
Showcase the beauty of FlowerFull® in a foundation planting in front of your home or surrounding a walkway. Surround FlowerFull® with the bright colors of Little Spark® Spirea, Cobalt-n-Gold™ Hypericum, then add in some structure with dwarf fountain grass and Biokovo Geranium.
FlowerFull® Smooth Hydrangea + Sapphire Surf™ Bluebeard + Ornamental Grass
Use FlowerFull® as a stunning focal point and book end it with ornamental grasses. Bring in some interesting color and texture by planting a hedge of Sapphire Surf™ Bluebeard in front. The combination of these plants creates a beautiful multi-season display thanks to the colors of Sapphire Surf™.
FlowerFull® will be available for purchase online and in garden centers in 2025! Purchase FlowerFull® online during our shipping season or use our Find a Retailer tool to locate a garden center near you that sells First Editions® plants. Give your local garden center a call to find out when FlowerFull® will be in stock so you can get it early in the season to enjoy those beautiful blooms as long as possible.
It’s time to get this FlowerFull® party started! Be sure to follow First Editions® Shrubs & Trees on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Pinterest, and YouTube for seasonal tips and inspiration all year long. And sign up for the monthly First Editions® newsletter for tailored gardening advice delivered right to your inbox.
Q: Where should I plant FlowerFull®?
A: FlowerFull® will perform the best when planted in a spot that receives full sun to part shade, making it perfect for multiple landscapes.
Q: When should I prune FlowerFull®?
A: Prune FlowerFull® Smooth Hydrangea in early spring while still dormant. Because this hydrangea blooms on new wood, it is quite tolerant of heavy pruning and can even be cut down to six to ten inches off the ground. Deadheading FlowerFull® isn’t necessary but can be done based on preference.
Q: Where can I buy FlowerFull® Smooth Hydrangeas?
A: You can buy FlowerFull® at one of many First Editions® retailers or online during our shipping season.
Q: I have a specific question about my FlowerFull® hydrangea. Is there a way to contact the First Editions® team for more help?
A: We love connecting with you about your gardens! Your first stop should be the Inspiration & Resources page on our website for tons of planting, care, and inspirational information. Or reach out to us on our Contact Us page.
