Culture
Best grown in rich, medium moisture, well-drained soils in part shade. Tolerates full sun only if grown with consistently moist soils. Bloom occurs on old wood. Prune after flowering by cutting back flowering stems to a pair of healthy buds. Prune out weak or winter-damaged stems in early spring.
'Pretty Maiden' is winter hardy to USDA Zone 6. It can be grown in USDA Zone 5 with protection (e.g., mulch and burlap wrap), but may lose significant numbers of flower buds or die to the ground in harsh winters, thus respectively impairing or totally destroying the bloom for the coming year.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Hydrangea is a genus of 80 or more species of deciduous and evergreen shrubs, climbers and rarely trees from East Asia and North and South America. Many have very showy flowers.
The genus name Hydrangea comes from hydor meaning "water" and aggeion meaning "vessel", in reference to the cup-like capsular fruit.
'Pretty Maiden' is a lacecap-type hydrangea cultivar. It is a deciduous shrub with a compact rounded habit which typically grows up to 3-4' tall and to 4-5' wide unless damaged by harsh winters or pruned smaller. Lacecap flowers feature flattened flower clusters (corymbs) consisting of an outer ring of showy sterile florets surrounding the smaller inner fertile florets. 'Pink Maiden' is noted for its showy, pink, sterile florets which are fully double with up to 20 tiered petals per floret. Medium green, serrate, obovate to elliptic leaves 3-5" long. Blooms in July for up to two months.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Some susceptibility to bud blight, bacterial wilt, leaf spot and mildew. Aphids are occasional visitors. Winter hardiness in the St. Louis area can be a significant problem for some hybrids.
Uses
Group or mass in a sheltered location in the shrub border. Also a good specimen or accent for protected locations near homes or patios.