Professional Growing Information Like other reviewers, this plant did not bloom for several years. It did not die back to the ground but no blooms. With winter protection (Styrofoam cone) it blooms consistently. Location west facing, 3 feet from a wall, exposed to winter winds augmented by adjacent structures.
Cityline® Rio Bigleaf hydrangea Hydrangea macrophylla
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Details
Features
This variety is no longer available from Proven Winners®. Alternatives include: Wee Bit Giddy® and Wee Bit Grumpy®.
Small to medium sized early blooming hydrangea with large, long lasting flowers. Mildew resistant. Compact.
Salt TolerantSmall or MiniatureCharacteristics
Plant Type:ShrubShrub Type:DeciduousHeight Category:MediumGarden Height:24 - 36 InchesSpacing:36 - 48 InchesSpread:24 - 36 InchesFlower Colors:BlueFlower Colors:PinkFlower Colors:PurpleFlower Shade:depends on soilFoliage Colors:GreenFoliage Shade:GreenHabit:MoundedContainer Role:ThrillerPlant Needs
Light Requirement:Part Sun to SunLight Requirement:SunThe optimum amount of sun or shade each plant needs to thrive: Full Sun (6+ hours), Part Sun (4-6 hours), Full Shade (up to 4 hours).
Maintenance Category:EasyBlooms On:Old WoodBloom Time:Early SummerBloom Time:Mid SummerBloom Time:Late SummerHardiness Zones:5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9bWater Category:AverageUses:ContainerUses:Cut FlowerUses:Dried FlowerUses:LandscapeUses Notes:A dramatic centerpiece for mixed container designs. Also great for mixed borders and perennial gardens.
Maintenance Notes:Add aluminum sulfate to the soil to encourage blue flower color.
Early blooming, compact plant.
A small to medium, early blooming selection with large flowers that range from strong blue to purple depending on the soil; add aluminum sulfate to the soil to encourage blue flower color. The blooms are large and long lasting. This plant has excellent mildew resistance, and makes a great container plant. Like the other Cityline hydrangeas, Rio is compact so it does not need pruning. It's perfect for foundation plantings and milder-climate container gardens.
Cityline® Rio Hydrangea macrophylla 'Ragra' N/A -
22 Reviews
5114232316Browse reviews from people who have grown this plant.-
Michael Casey, Quebec, Canada, 24 weeks ago
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I live in zone 6 and have the same problem others have mentioned. I purchased Rio City in 2019 in August. It was a beautiful colourful hydrangea. I have yet to have this plant bloom. It grows about 6-8 inches nice looking green leaves and that’s it! Any ideas to make Rio grow or ever see a bloom?
Elaine, Ontario, Canada, 1 year ago -
I have grown several of these for 5-8 years, and I can safely say that it is NOT hardy in zone 5 if you want flowers. It kills to the ground every year, which precludes it from flowering. It is disease resistant and compact - I'll give them that. If you live in a warmer zone it might be great for you, but not on the colder end of the spectrum they list.
JLD, New Hampshire, United States, 2 years ago -
I am a landscape designer in Portland Oregon. I used 6 Hydrangea 'Rio' along a foundation at a client's front entry. They have been a spectacular success. They gave us beautiful blooms from the first growing season. They have now been in the ground 3 years and still going strong. I'm not understanding the other reviews. So I thought I would share my experience with Hydrangea 'Rio'.
Jacque Robinsons Garden Design, Oregon, United States, 2 years ago -
It has never bloomed. I have tried in a container and in the ground.
Kim, Maryland, United States, 3 years ago -
I ordered this plant in one-gallon size on July 11, 2017. All I have ever seen on it are green leaves. It dies back every winter. And develops green leaves every spring, but never any flowers of any color. Very disappointed. We have deer and rabbits. I just saw a video that suggests they may be the culprit. Perhaps. But the plant is still quite small and I would think they might would have devoured all of it. And I have seen no evidence that it's been munched on.
Amy Puckett, North Carolina, United States, 3 years ago -
i have the cityline rio which i love but there are 3 sizes i got which i did not know pruned them all back but there is 1 big one
vivian gerard, British Columbia, Canada, 3 years ago -
I have grown this plant for probably 5-6 seasons in zone 5. It is in the correct location (part->full sun), well watered and not pruned. It dies back to the ground EVERY YEAR. I have seen a single flower on 4 plants in all that time. I plan to remove it and give it away or compost it. It clearly is not truly hardy in zn 5. They should relabel to zones where it actually performs as stated.
Jennifer Dionne, New Hampshire, United States, 4 years ago -
Since planting these in May they have taken off. So far I have one pink one and the rest bluish purple and I believe it because I did not include fertilizer in that one when I planted it. These are soooooo pretty and I can’t wait to see how big they get next year. Hopefully I won’t have to tend to them as much as I had to this year so far and it’s late June. But because they are in full sun and are babes I believe the harsh sun dries it out a bit so I have to water in early morning and evening when temperatures go above 90 degrees. I love these plants wish I could show pictures. Get you one or some, I got the gallon ones cause I like BIG! Some say I have a green thumb but I just love flowers anything you love you take care of!
Arty John, Michigan, United States, 5 years ago -
I ordered six of these from Home Depot...received very small plants, five of which did not survive the winter. They were planted in May and cared for according to recommendations, but only one has come up (they didn't even get woody last year)...and the winter here in Maryland was very mild. Beautiful pictures, but for me, not a reality.
Melissa, Maryland, United States, 5 years ago
4 More colors
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