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Hydrangea macrophylla Selma

Hydrangea macrophylla Dutch Ladies ® Selma
Bigleaf Hydrangea, French Hydrangea

8 reviews
4,4/5
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Very disappointed. The hydrangea I received doesn’t match the photos of the ‘Selma’ at all, which are bright red. The plant I received is white with a hint of pale pink in the centre of the petals. This is the second time I’ve ordered from this site, and it’s the second time the plants don’t match my order.

Didauf, 25/09/2025

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This plant carries a 24 months recovery warranty

More information

This hydrangea has beautiful round flower heads made of florets with slightly pointed petals. The flowers are dark pink to red with a cream-to-pale yellow centre that creates a nice contrast. The flowers are pink in neutral or slightly alkaline soil, but in acidic soil, they turn purple. The bicolour flower balls look great from late spring until late autumn. The plant is dense and low growing, with beautiful autumn colours.
Flower size
14 cm
Height at maturity
1.20 m
Spread at maturity
1.20 m
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -23.5°C
Soil moisture
Moist soil
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Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time February to April, August to October
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Flowering time June to October
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Description

The Hydrangea macrophylla Selma is a stunning novelty plant from the Dutch Ladies Hydrangea series. It produces bicolour inflorescences with red lining that are short and floribundus. The plant is also gifted with beautiful autumn colours. The round inflorescences have an elegant appearance and are made of florets with slightly pointed petals. They assume a dark pink to red colour, enhanced by a cream to pale yellow centre; this contrast gives them an appealing look from late spring until late autumn. As the plant grows, it forms a very tight bush, making it ideal for the garden or large pots. Additionally, it provides magnificent cut flowers that can be used to decorate your home.

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Selma' 'Sidaselm' is a hybrid of H. macrophylla and H. serrata, among other species. These hardy plants belong to the Hydrangeaceae family and are native to China and Japan. 'Selma' is part of a series of Dutch cultivars selected for their compact, dense habit and abundant flowering. This slow-growing bush has a tight, dense, rounded habit with harmoniously formed foliage. It reaches a size of approximately 1.20m (3 ft 11 in) in all directions when fully grown in open ground. The flowers bloom from June-July to September-October as spherical, compact flower heads, which are beautiful in size (14-15 cm (5.5-5.9 in)). They are composed of many single sterile florets whose petals have pointed edges. The flowers are initially a bright pink-red shade with a yellow-cream centre, which tends to fade at maturity. In slightly alkaline to neutral soil, they appear rather pink, while in acidic soil, they turn purple. At the end of the season, the flower heads turn a sand-brown colour that complements the autumn leaves. The flowering is spread over a dark green, glossy, deciduous leaf. The leaves are very wide and are ovate and opposite, reaching at least a dozen centimetres in length. They have a pointed tip and are coarsely saw-toothed. In autumn, the leaves of this variety turn yellow to purple. Hydrangeas can live for at least 50 years.

The ornamental hydrangea 'Selma' adds beauty to any garden, terrace, or indoor space, especially when paired with a pure white variety. Hydrangeas are a perfect choice for decorating terraces and balconies and for use as a cut flower. Hydrangeas are well known for their brightening effect on the north side of houses, but this particular hydrangea can also thrive in an east or west exposure that is not too harsh. It can be used in massifs as well as in high borders. Although these plants are not strictly ericaceous, they do not tolerate limestone well. Pair them with fuchsia magellanica, annual impatiens, or plant spring-flowering bulbs in front of their round silhouette. Enjoy their sumptuous flowering in the garden or the house for a long time.

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Hydrangeas: planting, pruning and care
Family sheet
by Alexandra 20 min.
Hydrangeas: planting, pruning and care
Read article

Hydrangea macrophylla Selma in pictures

Hydrangea macrophylla Selma (Flowering) Flowering
Hydrangea macrophylla Selma (Foliage) Foliage

Plant habit

Height at maturity 1.20 m
Spread at maturity 1.20 m
Habit irregular, bushy
Growth rate normal

Flowering

Flower colour pink
Flowering time June to October
Inflorescence Corymb
Flower size 14 cm
Good for cut flowers Cut flower blooms

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour dark green
Product reference • 827471

Planting and care

For optimal growth of the hydrangea macrophylla Selma, plant it in the spring or early fall in a slightly shaded location, such as against an east-facing wall or to the north. In very cold regions, it's best to overwinter the plant in a cold greenhouse or veranda, even though it can tolerate temperatures as low as -15°C (5 °F). Protect it from cold, drying winds. The plant prefers deep, fresh, and well-drained soil but doesn't require ericaceous soil. Before planting, enrich the soil with a good base fertiliser. If the soil at the base of the wall is dry, place the root ball at least 30-40 cm (11.8-15.7 in) away from the base of the wall and add plenty of well-well-rotted compost to keep the soil fresh. The hydrangea macrophylla Selma is resilient and can be planted in colder regions. Prune the faded flowers on the first bud or the pair of buds directly below to promote new growth. Between March and April, cut back a quarter or a third of the oldest stems to the base when the plant matures.

Planting period

Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time February to April, August to October

Intended location

Suitable for Woodland edge
Type of use Border, Container
Hardiness Hardy down to -23.5°C (USDA zone 6a) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Acidic, Neutral
Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light)
Soil moisture Moist soil, well-drained, rich, deep

Care

Pruning instructions Remove any wilted flowers on the first bud or pair of buds located directly below to keep your plant healthy. When the plant is mature, cut back a quarter or a third of the oldest stems to promote the formation of young shoots. It's recommended to carry out this pruning every year during March and April.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time March
Soil moisture Moist soil
Disease resistance Very good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

Planting & care advice

4,4/5

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