How to grow Vanilla Strawberry hydrangeas — 7 steps for dreamy and delightful blooms

Add sugary-sweet beauty to your flowerbeds with these fabulous florals

A close-up shot of a cluster of white and pink vanilla strawberry hydrangeas with green leaves around them
(Image credit: Getty Images / Natalia Bogutckaia)

When it comes to quickly adding color and texture to your flowerbeds, hydrangeas are some of the best blooms to bring in. 

Vanilla Strawberry hydrangeas (hydrangea paniculata 'Renhy') change with the seasons, going from creamy white in midsummer, to light pink when temperatures start to drop, and finally land on being strawberry red in fall. I've got you covered with expert advice from gardeners on how to grow them so they produce beautiful blooms throughout the seasons.

For those wanting to take care of hydrangeas and are looking for specific advice for the Vanilla Strawberry variety, these tips and tricks will help you out. 

What is the difference between Vanilla Strawberry hydrangeas and regular hydrangeas?

Two pictures of hydrangeas - one cluster of white and light pink vanilla strawberry hydrangeas to the left and a cluster of purple and pink hydrangeas to the right

(Image credit: Getty Images / Mark Gregory / somnuk krobkum)

Before you start to grow Vanilla Strawberry hydrangeas, it’s important to know the difference between them and regular ones.

“Vanilla Strawberry hydrangeas are a type of panicle hydrangea, known for their cone-shaped flower clusters that transition from white, to pink, to rich red,” explains Tony O'Neill, gardener and founder of Simplify Gardening

“This variety is more sun-tolerant and cold-hardy compared to many other hydrangeas, such as the mophead or lacecap varieties (hydrangea macrophylla),” he adds.

It's also important to know before you start growing these plants that you can’t propagate them, as this is illegal due to it being a patented plant. 

Instead, you can pick it up from a nursery or plant retailer. For example, the Vanilla Strawberry Hydrangeas from The Sill are perfect for pollinators and last year after year.

Plus, it's worth noting they're hardy in USDA zones 3-8 and will grow in most areas of the country.

Now you’re all clued up, you can follow the steps below to ensure they grow properly and come back every year.

Step 1: Choose the right location

A backyard with a cottage garden flowerbed with purple flowers and tall grass, and a neatly mowed lawn in front of it

(Image credit: Getty Images / Jacky Parker Photography)

First of all, it's important to choose where to plant hydrangeas in your garden, as this can affect how your flowers grow.

“The spot you choose to plant in should have morning sun to afternoon shade,” explains Matthew Wilson, gardener and CEO of Handy Gardeners.

If the space you choose is too sunny, he says this will scorch the flowers, but part shade can also hinder blooming. So, it’s important to get the balance right.

Step 2: Prepare the soil

A gloved floral hand holding a pile of brown compost and a white bowl of compost putting it into a pile of soil, with green grass and black pots behind

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Give your flowers the best chance for growth by pairing up the soil with the right fertilizer.

“Add a balanced, slow-acting fertilizer in early spring and mid-summer. Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers since they spur leaf growth but not as many blooms,” says Matthew.

He also says to consider a hydrangea-specific fertilizer (the Miracle-Gro Acid-Loving Plant Food from Amazon works on azaleas, hydrangeas and rhododendrons) , as this can bring out the color and growth of this plant.

“Vanilla Strawberry hydrangeas prefer well-drained, fertile soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH,” adds Tony. “Amending the soil with compost can improve fertility and drainage.”

Instead of buying this, you can learn how to make compost at home in order to nourish your flowers sustainably.

Step 3: Plant them properly

A small shovel with a green handle in a dark soil hole with green grass strands around it

(Image credit: Getty Images / mikroman6)

When planting your hydrangeas, picking the right time will ensure they have the best chance of survival. In their case, Tony advises planting them in spring or fall.

“Dig a hole twice as wide and as deep as the root ball, then put the plant in the hole,” Tony says. 

From here, all you need to do is backfill this with soil and water the area thoroughly.

Step 4: Stay on top of watering

A dark green watering can with a silver spout watering tall green leafy vegetales in a planter filled with dark brown soil

(Image credit: Getty Images / Tetra Images)

Make sure to keep on top of watering your hydrangeas — just like us humans, plants need to stay hydrated.

“Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during the first year after planting,” Tony says. “Be sure to water deeply at the base of the plant to encourage deep root growth.”

During dry spells, Tony recommends water one to two times a week to maintain soil moisture. 

Step 5: Prune at the right time

A hand holding a silver pair of pruners in front of a green bush with a white hydrangea flower above it

(Image credit: Getty Images / Galina Zhigalova)

Once your Vanilla Strawberry hydrangeas have started to grow, make sure to prune them in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. 

“Remove any dead or damaged wood and thin out crowded branches to improve air circulation,” Tony explains.

He continues, “To shape the plant, cut back the stems by one-third to promote strong, healthy growth and abundant blooms.”

Matthew agrees, saying to make sure to cut back to healthy buds, but not to do this hard as this will reduce flowering.

If you’re in need of some shiny new pruners, I like the look of the Gonicc Professional Premium Titanium Bypass Pruning Shears from Amazon, which have over 20,000 five-star reviews from shoppers who rate the quality material and the ease of use.

Step 6: Keep an eye out for pests and diseases

A dark green leaf with two small green aphids on top of it

(Image credit: Getty Images / Christophe Lehenaff)

If you've followed the first five steps and your hydrangeas aren't blooming properly, it might be because pests or diseases have invaded your space. 

“I recommend keeping an eye out and searching for signs of bugs including aphids or the mites of spiders,” Matthew says.

Aphids love younger plants, which I found out in my own yard. Luckily, I learned how to remove aphids from a vegetable garden, spritzing them with a mix of soap and water, and wiping them away with kitchen towel.

Matthew also advises not to overwater your hydrangeas, in order to minimize fungal infections on the plant. 

Step 7: Protect during winter

A collection of light and dark brown wood chip mulching on the ground

(Image credit: Getty Images / Detailfoto)

Even when your hydrangeas aren’t in full bloom, it’s still important to take care of them throughout the year.

Matthew explains, “In order to help them survive severe winter conditions, cover the roots and the zone around the root with a thick layer of mulch,” he says.

“Mulching around the base can also help retain moisture and regulate soil temperature,” Tony adds.

This doesn’t need to be expensive, either — for example, the Miracle-Gro Organic All Natural Mulch from Amazon is under $4.

Vanilla Strawberry hydrangea growing essentials


They might take a little bit of work, but results of these flowers are well worth the effort.

“In my own backyard, I’ve found that Vanilla Strawberry hydrangeas are a delightful addition due to their stunning color transformation,” Tony says.

“Proper pruning and regular watering have been key to achieving lush, vibrant blooms that stand out in the landscape,” he finishes by saying.

If you’re looking to get even more creative with your hydrangea planting, learning how to change the color of your hydrangeas may also come in useful.

Eve Smallman
Content Editor

Hi there! I’m a content editor at Real Homes. I've been a lifestyle journalist for over five years, previously working as an editor across regional magazines. Before this, I graduated from Nottingham Trent University a degree in journalism, along with an NCTJ gold diploma. I love running, decorating my rented Victorian home, and discovering new cheeses. For Real Homes, I specialize in interior design, trends and finding the best viral buys.