Plant Encyclopedia

Light-o-Day Hydrangea

Hydrangea Macrophylla ‘Bailday’

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Light-o-day Hydrangea with purple flowers

Discover More Information On Light-o-Day Hydrangea

The Light-o-Day hydrangea is not a native plant to North America, but you can find this variety throughout many gardens. Its stunning white blooms and green leaves are guaranteed to add a pop to your outdoor space. This plant’s elegant lace cap style is a big plus for many gardeners, along with its variegated foliage of pure white and deep greens. This hydrangea provides a combination of foliage and flowers that will last throughout the growing season. As the flowers develop, they change from a pure white color to a soft shade of blue or pink. These plants will work perfectly with other perennials or small shrubs throughout your yard.

Plant Attributes

The variegated leaves on a hydrangea are one of its most popular attributes. If you want that signature look, then the Light-o-Day is the best choice for you. Many hydrangeas with these leaves will eventually revert to a solid green color when they are under stress. However, with the Light-o-Day, you will never have to worry about these issues. It is one of the most reversion-resistant hydrangeas to date. For those who want a container accent, this plant will add a layer of elegance to any spot. This hydrangea features bold white lacecaps that will last from early to mid-summer. While the white blooms are a main draw of the plant, the pink and blue centers can be manipulated by changing your soil’s acidity. Pink centers will form in alkaline soil as blue appears with higher acidity.

Landscape Use

The flowers of the Light-o-Day are perfect for cuttings and arrangements. You can enjoy the deciduous forest green foliage with some hints of gray-green throughout the growing season. The multi-stemmed shrub will grow into a rounded form. Its coarse texture can be used as an excellent centerpiece when placed with other plants that have more delicate foliage. While these glossy leaves are ornamental, they will not develop any colors in the fall. As a compact grower, the Light-o-Day is the perfect plant for containers and gardens. It makes an eye-catching addition to your garden’s borders. The Light-o-Day will work in many different landscape applications, including general use gardening, container planting, mass plantings, and accent pieces.

Planting & Care

Since the Light-o-Day is a compact plant, it can easily fit in most gardens. This variety will grow into a naturally rounded shape, and it is easy to maintain. However, the shrub is not maintenance-free, and it will require the occasional upkeep from you. You should only prune the shrub after it has flowered for the season. The Light-o-Day is a hardy plant, and it thrives in areas as far north as zone 5 to the south in zone 9.

This shrub will grow to a height of four feet tall at maturity, and it has a spread of four feet. With a one-foot clearance from the ground, it is considered a leggy plant. The Light-o-Day will grow at an accelerated rate in your garden. Under the right conditions, this shrub can live for about 20 years.

The Light-o-Day thrives in partial shade to full sun conditions. For optimal growth, it requires well-draining soil. While it does not have a particular soil type preference, this shrub does love the more acidic soils. This hydrangea can thrive in the city atmosphere, and it tolerates urban pollution. However, it will grow well in an area with some shelter. A thick layer of mulch is recommended if you are looking to conserve soil moisture in the summer and winter.

Additional Information

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The Light-o-Day is the perfect choice for those outdoor pots and containers, and it complements the look of your outdoor landscape. Since it is a tall shrub, this plant will work well for those who want a thriller container with smaller plants that spill over the sides. The white lacecap flower heads add a unique touch with their glowing blue or soft pink centers. These blooms will draw attention to the plants in your landscape as it continues to thrill throughout the growing seasons.

Arbor Valley Nursery is here to help if you want to add the Light-o-Day hydrangea to your inventory. We specialize in providing shrubs, trees, and more to local nurseries, commercial landscapers, and garden centers. Our team will help you find the right landscape elements for your customers, including the gorgeous Light-o-Day hydrangea. To learn more about this variety of hydrangea or any other plant, please take a few minutes to fill out the contact form.

Plant Features

  • Botanical Name: Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Bailday’
  • Form: Shrub
  • Sun Exposure: Partial Shade
  • Height/Habit: 36 – 60 inches
  • Spread: 36 – 60 inches
  • Spacing: 36 – 60 inches
  • Hardiness Zone: 5-9
  • Flowering Date: Blooms spring through summer
  • Planting Instructions: Set at the same level it is at in the container, firm and water thoroughly.
  • Winter Care: None except to mulch in northern zones the first winter if fall planted.
  • Growth Rate: Medium to fast
  • Shipping Season: Spring
  • Flower Color: Blue, Pink
  • Flower Form: Lacecap type blooms. Large, open, flat flower clusters. Fertile flowers in the middle and showy sterile flowers along the outside edge.
  • Foliage Type: Simple, elliptic to ovate, green and white variegated. Wide white margin
  • Pruning: Prune to maintain a desired size or to remove any wild branches, or dead wood in spring.
  • Soil Requirement: Well drained, moisture retentive
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