Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
You will not be grumpy around this amazing hydrangea with blooms of the deepest, richest blue you have ever seen. The dark green, glossy leaves perfectly complement the flowers. These resist wilting and provide fall interest. In acidic soil the big, full blooms are a deep, purple blue. In neutral to alkaline soil, they are bright red. This Hydrangea macrophylla grows to 24 inches high. It is a versatile deciduous shrub that better tolerates cold weather. It is a reblooming hydrangea loved by butterflies.
The shrub has a compact, mounded growth habit with sturdy stems. Its foliage is disease resistant. It is salt tolerant. This is a low maintenance plant that requires no pruning. Use it in the role of ‘thriller’ in a container. It makes a stunning focal point in the landscape or border. Plant several to create a low hedge. It is a lovely cut flower and beautiful when dried. This compact hydrangea is perfect for small spaces.
Wee Bit Grumpy® Hydrangea Care
Choose a site that is not hot and dry. Dig a large hole, approximately two feet wide and one foot deep in moist, well-drained soil. Plant with the crown 1 inch below the soil level. Water regularly with an average amount of water – this plant does not tolerate ‘wet feet.’ Add 2-3 inches of mulch. Fertilize with a granular rose fertilizer in early spring and in late spring. You may sprinkle the granules on top of the mulch, watering immediately to dissolve them and send them to the soil. It thrives in morning sun and afternoon shade – in hotter climates it prefers more shade. For blue flowers the shrub needs a pH of 5.5 plus aluminum sulphate. A soil test will show if this is necessary. Do not treat unless you are sure because you do not want to pollute the soil. A pH of 6.5, or higher, results in pink/red tones.
Wee Bit Grumpy® blooms on new wood and old wood. In the spring it blooms on the previous year’s growth, then in summer on new growth. As a result, you should avoid pruning. Remove damaged wood in the spring. If your hydrangea does not bloom, the most common reasons are winter injury, too much shade, poor fertility, or too much nitrogen.
Wee Bit Grumpy® Hydrangea Spacing
For a delightful pairing, grow Wee Bit Grumpy® with Wee Bit Giddy®. Space your shrubs 30 inches apart.
Wee Bit Grumpy® Hydrangea Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 5 to 9 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Part Sun to Full Sun (5+ Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 2 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 2.5 Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Mounded, Dwarf
- Water Needs
- Consistently Moist
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , Purple, Red
- Flower Description
- Large, purple and red, mophead flowers with overlapping petals
- Bloom Time
- Early to Mid-Summer
- Blooms On
-
Old Wood
?
"Blooms on" tells you which stems produce flowers, which decides when it's safe to prune.
- New Wood: Flowers form on stems that grow this season. Prune in late winter or early spring without losing blooms.
- Old Wood: Flower buds form on last year's stems. Prune right after flowering. Pruning in fall or early spring removes next year's blooms.
- Both New and Old Wood: Blooms on last year's stems and again on new growth, so it flowers even after a hard winter or a mistimed pruning. Prune lightly after the first flush of blooms.
- When to Prune
- Right after flowering
- Foliage Color
- Foliage Description
- Green maple-like leaves
- Foliage Type
- , Deciduous
- Seasonal Interest
- , Summer Flowering, Fall Interest, 3 Season Interest
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Wee Bit Grumpy® Hydrangea
- Botanical Name
- Hydrangea macrophylla 'Stragrum'
- Brand
- Proven Winners
- Plant Type
- Shrub
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
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We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2026 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!