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Tilt - A - Swirl® Hydrangea

Hydrangea macrophylla 'QUFU'

Bloomin' Easy®
$6996
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Plant Size

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

  • Sunlight: Provide four to six hours of bright morning sun followed by dappled afternoon shade. Protecting the plant from the intense afternoon heat prevents the bi-color blooms from fading and keeps the large leaves from wilting.
  • Soil: Use rich, organic soil that holds moisture but allows excess water to drain away freely. If you deal with heavy clay, mix in several inches of compost or aged bark to create a looser structure that prevents root rot.

Watering Requirements

Keep the soil consistently moist like a wrung-out sponge during the first two growing seasons to help the root system expand. Mature plants need deep weekly soakings, especially during summer dry spells, to prevent the flower heads from drooping. If watering is inconsistent, you will notice smaller blooms and brown, crispy edges on the foliage.

Pruning Tips

Since this variety blooms on old wood, you should only prune it immediately after the flowers start to fade in late summer. This timing is critical because the plant begins setting next year’s flower buds shortly after the current season’s display ends. Think of this as a simple haircut to remove spent blooms and tidy the shape rather than a heavy structural cut.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring just as the first green leaves begin to emerge from the stems. Avoid using high-nitrogen fertilizers after mid-summer because this forces new, tender growth that will not survive the first winter freeze. Proper feeding in the spring provides the energy needed to produce the heavy, multi-colored flower clusters that the Tilt-A-Swirl is known for.

Delivery and Shipping

Preorder Shipping Schedule

We ship your plants when it's safe to transport them to your zone. Dates are estimated and subject to weather delays.

Zone 3-4 Week of March 30th
Zone 5 Week of March 16th
Zone 6-12 Week of March 2nd


Shipping Rates

Ships in 3-4 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50 $9.99
$50 - $99.99 $14.99
$100 - $149.99 $16.99
$150 - $198.99 $24.99
$199+ FREE

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Your order is protected by our compliance system that:

  • Prevents restricted plants from shipping to your state
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  • Protects gardens from invasive pests and diseases

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Dizzying Color All Season!

Just as the name implies, Tilt-A-Swirl® Hydrangea PP#26426 (Hydrangea macrophylla 'QUFU') gives your garden palette quite the ride! The swirling, dizzying colors will make your head spin!

Sturdy stems hold the mophead blooms aloft so you and your beneficial pollinators can see the topsy-turvy blooms! A continuous bloomer, the colors "swirl" without stopping!

Starting chartreuse, changing to bright pink, then deepening to rosy-red, each tiny floret grows in a tight cluster. Each center splashed in bright, apple-green! Tilt-A-Swirl® exhibits this whirl of shades throughout the summer and fall for a spectacular joyride!

The handsome green foliage is deeply saturated and quilted, with tiny toothed edges. The perfect backdrop for those vibrant blooms! Sturdy stems and bold colors make Tilt-A-Swirl® a wonderful cut flower for bouquets! In winter, the dried flower heads look great as winter interest, or snip a few to bring in for dried floral decor!

No wonder this Bloomin' Easy®Tilt-A-Swirl® was awarded a Gold Medal at the prestigious Plantarium Horticulture event in Holland!

How to Use Tilt-A-Swirl® Hydrangea In The Landscape

Plant a few Tilt-A-Swirl® among your perennial borders or near a patio where you're sure to witness their extraordinary display all season. A wonderful foundation plant, the colors lend to superb curb appeal! You will love the informal and tidy hedges these vivid shrubs form!

Just the right size for containers, its compact growth habit makes them versatile regardless of your garden style or size! Add a formal touch to evenly spaced stone urns around your back terrace, or in large modern planters around the shadier side of your pool lounge chairs! Go informal with a thriller planting of Tilt-A-Swirl® in a half whiskey barrel surrounded by spilling Cranesbill or Ajuga!

Low hedges and adding color to mixed-shrub borders, Tilt-A-Swirl® is a welcome addition! Use this breathtaking shrub, sized perfectly for mid-to-front garden use in your Cottage Garden and as a backdrop to the mixed perennial border. Cutting gardens and pollinator gardens benefit from the amusement Tilt-A-Swirl® brings!

  • Pink-Red & Green Bi-Color (Blue Tones in Acidic Soils!)
  • Large Mophead Blooms
  • Changing Floral Tones
  • Long Bloom Season
  • Stunning Fresh In Bouquets or Dried Decorations
  • Award-Winning

#ProPlantTips For Care

With mounded habit and low maintenance nature, Tilt-A-Swirl® is hardier than traditional Hydrangea varieties, that struggle in harsh winters. your Tilt-A-Swirl® is substantially more resilient in winters well below zero. Tilt-A-Swirl® is perfect for semi-sunny yards that need some extra color. Preferring indirect sunlight, Tilt-A-Swirl® still thrives in sunnier spots but at the cost of some of that show-stopper color quality.

They do need rich, moist soil that is well-drained. Bigleaf Hydrangeas are pH dependent for their flower color, becoming bluer if your soil is acidic, so to keep your Tilt-A-Swirl® the brightest pink possible, use alkaline formulated fertilizer or add garden lime to your soil. Apply 3-4 inches of arborist mulch to hold in moisture and enrich the soil.

Blooming on both new and old wood, they requires little or no pruning each year. But in early spring, as you see new growth beginning to emerge, you can snip off any stems that died back. After the flowers bloom, you can remove spent flower heads if desired to increase branching, however, the dried-on-the-shrub flower heads add significant fall and winter interest when left on the plant! You can perform renewal pruning every 3-5 years to remove the oldest, least vigorous stems by pruning them out from the ground to allow younger stems to take over.

  • Part Shade - Part Sun Preferred
  • Any Well-Drained Rich Soil
  • Moderate Yet Regular Moisture
  • Loves Mulched Beds
  • Blooms On New & Old Wood
  • Highly Adaptive, Low Maintenance & Cold Hardy

Hydrangeas have long been a gardener's favorite and Tilt-A-Swirl® is no exception. Hardy nature, long-blooming performance, and one-of-a-kind bi-color flowers, Tilt-A-Swirl® Hydrangea is sure to be the main attraction in your garden this year! Order yours today at NatureHills.com!

Growing Zones 5-8

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the mature size of Tilt-A-Swirl® Hydrangea?
  • Tilt-A-Swirl® Hydrangea reaches 3-4 feet tall and wide at maturity. Its compact growth habit makes it perfect for containers, low hedges, or front-to-middle border plantings. Plant it where you can easily enjoy the color-changing blooms throughout the season.

How often should I water Tilt-A-Swirl® Hydrangea?
  • Water Tilt-A-Swirl® Hydrangea deeply 1-2 times per week during growing season. Like most hydrangeas, it needs consistent moisture but not soggy soil. Check soil moisture 2 inches down and water when dry. Find this award-winning variety at naturehills.com.

How do I prune Tilt-A-Swirl® Hydrangea to keep it tidy?
  • Prune Tilt-A-Swirl® Hydrangea in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Since it blooms on new wood, you can cut back up to one-third of the oldest stems to maintain shape. Remove any dead or damaged wood, and lightly trim for size as needed after the blooming season ends.

Will Tilt-A-Swirl® Hydrangea arrive dormant if ordered early in the season?
  • Yes, Tilt-A-Swirl® Hydrangeas ordered in late winter or early spring will arrive dormant with no leaves or blooms visible. This is completely normal and protects the plant during shipping. Plant after your last frost date and provide consistent moisture as new growth emerges.

What pot size is needed for planting Tilt-A-Swirl® Hydrangea in containers?
  • Use a container at least 18-24 inches wide for Tilt-A-Swirl® Hydrangea's compact growth habit. This size provides adequate root space while showcasing the colorful mophead blooms. Shop at Nature Hills for containers and planting guidance.

Is Tilt-A-Swirl® Hydrangea resistant to pests and diseases?
  • Tilt-A-Swirl® Hydrangea shows good general disease resistance typical of modern hydrangea cultivars. Its sturdy stems and robust growth habit indicate strong plant health. Ensure proper air circulation and avoid overhead watering to prevent potential fungal issues.

Does Tilt-A-Swirl® Hydrangea rebloom on new or old wood?
  • Tilt-A-Swirl® Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) blooms on old wood, like most bigleaf hydrangeas. As a continuous bloomer throughout summer and fall, it produces its colorful mophead flowers on stems that developed the previous season. Avoid heavy pruning in late fall or early spring to preserve next year's blooms.
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