Red Sensation Hydrangea

Next Generation Red Sensation is a mounded bigleaf hydrangea with rounded flower clusters that open light red and deepen toward red-purple. Ball Seed describes this selection as heat- and shade-tolerant, with flowers from spring into fall, for a long season of color in a partly shaded border. ## Profile Ball Seed lists a mature height of 24–36 inches and a spread of 36–60 inches. The plant is deciduous, with green foliage and a compact, rounded outline; its broad flowers can be used as a focal point among woodland-edge shrubs or near a path. The breeder listing identifies the selection as Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Red Sensation’ and gives plant patent USPP18197P2, dated November 13, 2007. See [Ball Seed’s Red Sensation profile](https://info.ballseed.com/PlantInfo/?phid=034005889007514) and the [plant patent record](https://patents.google.com/patent/USPP18197P2/en). ## Site Provide partial shade and evenly moist, well-drained soil. Hydrangea macrophylla benefits from regular water during warm weather; avoid letting the root zone dry out for long periods, while also preventing stagnant, waterlogged conditions. Flower color in bigleaf hydrangeas can respond to soil chemistry, so use the selection’s observed color as the practical guide. ## Maintenance Remove dead or damaged stems and spent blooms as needed. Bigleaf hydrangeas may form next season’s buds on older stems, so avoid hard pruning unless the plant’s flowering habit and timing are known; the [University of Minnesota pruning guide](https://extension.umn.edu/garden-and-home/yard-and-garden/lawns-and-landscapes-in-minnesota/trees-and-shrubs/pruning-hydrangeas) explains how reblooming and old-wood types differ.