Introducing the newest (and bluest) cascade hydrangea from Proven Winners ColorChoice Flowering Shrubs: Fairytrail Fresco™. This cascade hydrangea from the Fairytrail® series boasts the romantic florets and trailing stems you've come to expect, but this time with beautiful blue or pink flowers that set at every node. Extremely floriferous, unique, and versatile, it's easy to see why Fairytrail Fresco™ is quickly becoming one of the most buzzed-about hydrangeas in the gardening community. But its popularity goes beyond its reliable beauty! Here, we're spotlighting this fresh and new hydrangea and why we expect it to become the focal point of your patio. 

Fairytrail Fresco™ puts a colorful spin on the classic white cascade hydrangea flowers with pale pink or cornflower blue flowers that set on every node across the entire branched stem. The end result? A simply gorgeous display! After the flowers finish blooming, the glossy green foliage takes center stage before taking on deep brown and red hues come fall. 

While Fairytrail Fresco™ can bloom pink or blue, the color it takes on will be entirely dependent on soil chemistry. You must have both acidic soil and the presence of aluminum (a naturally occurring soil element) for a blue/purple color to develop. Learn more about what causes hydrangea flower colors to change in our blog, "The Straight Facts on Hydrangea Flower Color," or head to the link HERE.

One of the most distinctive features of Fairytrail Fresco™ cascade hydrangea is its early blooming period. Unlike many other hydrangea varieties like panicle, smooth, or bigleaf that typically bloom in mid-to-late summer, Fairytrail Fresco™ delights gardeners with its vibrant mophead blooms in late spring. This provides a burst of color in your garden before other hydrangea types bloom, extending the season of interest!

In terms of maintenance after flowering, this type of hydrangea blooms on old wood, so it’s best to avoid pruning it for the most flowers and best performance. Mature plants may be selectively thinned, removing one-third of the oldest branches each late winter or early spring.

Bred for exceptional heat tolerance, Fairytrail Fresco™ thrives in hot, part sun gardens with average well-drained soil. This makes it an excellent choice for gardeners in warmer climates who may struggle to grow other hydrangea varieties! Heat-tolerance ensures the plant can withstand high temperatures without experiencing stress, such as wilting, leaf scorch, or reduced flowering. This enhances the plant's overall health and vigor and ensures a consistent and vibrant display of blooms throughout the growing season.

Most varieties tolerate full sun in the North but benefit from afternoon shade and consistent moisture. The Fairytrail Fresco™ will require some afternoon shade in the South or climates with exceptionally hot spring and summer days.