Photo of Hydrangea macrophylla 'Penny Mac' foliage by Briggs Plant Propagators

Photo by Briggs Plant Propagators

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Buy Hydrangea macrophylla 'Penny Mac'

Also Known As

  • Penny Mac Bigleaf Hydrangea

Plant type

shrub, perennial

size

  • H: 5'-6'
  • W: 4'-6'

planting zones

  • 5a-10b

3 year old bagged root ball | $47.95

Shipping based on order size

Fewer than 10 at Hydrangeas Plus

1 year old bagged root ball | $14.95

Shipping based on order size

Fewer than 10 at Hydrangeas Plus

2 year old bagged root ball | $25.95

Shipping based on order size

Fewer than 10 at Hydrangeas Plus

3 gallon | $21.4

Avail in US except West Coast, HI/AK

Fewer than 1 at Maples N More Nursery

1 gallon | $37.45

Avail in US except West Coast, HI/AK

Fewer than 2 at Maples N More Nursery

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Hydrangea macrophylla 'Penny Mac' plant details

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Penny Mac' is a fast-growing broadleaf deciduous perennial shrub with green foliage. In fall and summer blue flowers emerge. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with mostly sun - mostly shade and even moisture - regular water. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something seaside / salt tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Hydrangea macrophylla 'Penny Mac'

Plant type: perennial shrub
Plant family: hydrangeaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 4 FT - 6 FT - wide, 5 FT - 6 FT - tall
Flowers: blue blooms in fall and summer
Uses: border plant, cottage garden, cutting garden, repeat-blooming, woodland garden

GROWING CONDITIONS for Hydrangea macrophylla 'Penny Mac'

USDA Zones: 5a - 10b
Sun exposure: mostly sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
Resistant to: seaside / salt
Soil needs: rich and well-drained

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Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Named for Penny McHenry of the American Hydrangea Society, this selection is touted to be the H. macrophylla that blooms on new wood!... an exciting break-through. PSh/M (not dry) acid: blue, alkaline: pink.
Penny Mac Hydrangea is a prolific rebloomer, blooming on new wood. Therefore, it blooms even in areas where buds of other hydrangea get killed by late frosts. Penny Mac Hydrangea is seaside/salt tolerant. As with most mopheads, the blooms are more pink in alkaline soil and more blue in acid soil. Penny Mac Hydrangea is named after Mrs. Penny McHenry, founder of the American Hydrangea Society.
The glorious history of Penny Mac hydrangea can be read about other places on Google, but we'll encapsulate it by honoring the namesake, Penny McHenry, for her passion for hydrangeas and gardening. She founded the American Hydrangea Society right here in Georgia. Penny Mac is a remontant mophead Hydrangea macrophylla from her garden. This cultivar is a beautiful treasure, a conversation piece, and a garden stalwart. It's a classic "Cape Cod blue" mophead that will stand up to any other remontant mophead, any day and every year. As with all macs (except white ones), the flower color depends on pH and aluminum availability in the soil (low/acid pH = blue while high/alkaline/basic pH = pink).

By: Cutting Edge Plants

A great repeat bloomer with large flower heads. Blue tones in acidic soil and pinks in alkaline soil. Growth Rate fast
This is an exciting breakthrough in Hydrangeas. Penny Mac blooms on old and new wood, so it is a reliable bloomer even in colder areas where buds are frequently killed by late frosts. Penny Mac has huge flowers of pink over white in alkaline soils, or turns a vivid blue in acid soils. Named after the founder of the American Hydrangea Society, Mrs. Penny McHenry. Grows to 4-5' tall and wide after 10 years.

By: Fantastic Plants

Another great variety that blooms on new wood. Named for Penny McHenry, the founder of the American Hydrangea Society, this vigorous hydrangea is great to zone 5 based on recent surveys. It will even bloom twice if pruned after first blooms. Penny Mac is great for those areas where early fall or late spring frost kills other hydrangea buds. The blooms are HUGE and are pH sensitive. The blooms will age red for added fall color. We miss you, Penny!
What is important about this pink or blue dense mophead is that it flowers on new wood.
A very prolific bloomer, this flowers onnew wood and will keep producing flowers throughout the summer. The mophead flowers will be pink if in alkaline soil or blue if in acid. Like most mops, these dry quite handsomely so you can enjoy these during the winter as memories of summer.
Deep blue, 7" flowers rebloom on this hardy Hydrangea. One of the choice rebloomers!

Gardening facts about Hydrangea macrophylla 'Penny Mac' plant

How to Grow Hydrangea macrophylla 'Penny Mac'

  • Sun Exposure

    • mostly sun - mostly shade
  • Water Needs

    • even moisture - regular
  • Soil Needs

    • adaptable
    • well-drained
    • rich
  • Special Situation

    • seaside / salt tolerant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • green
  • Flower Color

    • blue
  • Wildlife

    • butterflies
    • hummingbirds
  • Flower Season

    • fall
    • summer
  • Foliage Season

    • deciduous
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