Froggie™ Bigleaf Hydrangea

Hydrangea macrophylla 'COF HM2’

Nature Hills Nursery

Unique Green-to-Pink Sepals Transform Throughout Season for Extended Color Interest
Thrives in Zones 6-9
Grows 3-4 ft Tall and Wide
Showy Blue, Pink, Green Blooms From Late Spring to Late Summer
Perfect for Privacy Screen or Hedge

$72⁴³

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Plant Size

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: This hydrangea thrives with four to six hours of morning sun followed by dappled afternoon shade. While it can handle more sun in northern climates, excessive afternoon heat in the south will cause the large leaves to wilt and may bleach the flower color.
Soil: Aim for rich, well drained soil that stays consistently moist but never soggy. If you have heavy clay, mix in organic compost to improve drainage, or plant in a slight mound to keep the crown from sitting in standing water.

Watering Requirements

During the first two growing seasons, provide one inch of water per week to help the root system expand. Once mature, Froggie™ is moderately drought tolerant, but inconsistent moisture will lead to smaller flower heads and crispy leaf edges. You should deep soak the base of the plant twice a week during summer dry spells to maintain the vibrant bloom turgidity.

Pruning Tips

Since this variety blooms on old wood, meaning the flower buds are set during the previous summer, you must prune only immediately after the flowers fade in late summer. Avoid cutting stems back in the spring or winter because you will remove the upcoming season's flowers. Think of it like a scheduled maintenance visit: removing spent blooms and dead stems every year encourages the plant to direct its energy into healthy new growth.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer early in the spring as soon as you see new green growth emerging. Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer because this stimulates tender new foliage that can be easily damaged by the first frost. If you want to influence the bloom color, use aluminum sulfate for blue tones or garden lime for pinker hues, ensuring the soil pH remains stable.

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 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

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Cold hardy, Flowering, Attracts pollinators, Container Friendly
Hardiness Zone	6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
Sunlight	Full sun, Partial shade
Height	3-4 ft
Width	3-4 ft
Watering Needs	High
Preferred Soil	Clay, Loamy, Peaty, Sandy
Growth Rate	Moderate
Growth Habit	Bushy, Upright
Blooms In	Spring, Summer
Flower Color	Blue, Pink, Green
Foliage Color	Green
Pet Safety	Toxic to pets
Suitable Space	Indoors, Outdoors
Plant Name	Hydrangea
Botanical Name	Hydrangea macrophylla 'COF HM2’
Species	macrophylla
Cultivar	COF HM2
Class	Magnoliopsida, Cornales
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

The Froggie™ Bigleaf Hydrangea shrub (Hydrangea macrophylla 'COF HM2') is one of a kind! Plant yours today for a pop of color and texture. This unique Hydrangea is a new, dense mophead with colored sepals that start out green-purple and mature pink. Heat tolerant, Froggie™ is ideal for warmer climates! People will stop and stare at this beauty! Butterflies to come to check out these blossoms!

The sepals are extremely thick and persistent. This is a strong plant that will hold up for a long time! Strong stems hold up defiantly against storms and rain, plus this Hydrangea has gorgeous flowers that are used for cut flowers or landscape decoration. These are pH-dependent blooms, so pick up a soil tester to be sure what you will be planting Froggie in! Plant in more alkaline conditions and you'll enjoy slightly pinker blooms, while more acidic these might edge closer to a moody blue. Neutral pH soils keep these blossoms delightfully green and purple!

In the fall, you can expect the pretty pink to deepen into a rich, fall red. With foliage and dried blooms lasting on the shrub well into fall until frost, USDA growing zones 6 through 9 will be able to enjoy the uniquely hued mopheads and wonderful foliage of this Bigleaf Hydrangea!

Planting and Application:

Provide your Hydrangea Bush with a partly shaded location so the full brunt of the summer sun doesn't give them stress. They thrive in those afternoon shady spots, you know, those ones under a big shade tree or around a shaded porch? Brighten up those dull areas with this gorgeous plant for cooling hues and flouncy flowers that add interest to the shaded side of your foundation, walls and along the back of your property where we could all use some oomph.

This Hydrangea is most commonly used in low hedges, mixed-shrub borders, cutting gardens, or as a backdrop for your perennial garden. There are so many possibilities! Plant near water features or a shady gutter where they can soak up the moisture, or close - but not too close, to a shady pond, brook or stream.

Green Mopheads Accented in Pink, Purple or Blue
Big Coarse Toothy Green Foliage
Reddish Fall Color
Great in Containers, Low Privacy, Hedges & Cut Flowers
Great for Moist Shade

#ProPlantTips for Care

The Froggie™ Bigleaf Hydrangea thrives in zones 6-9. Need to find your hardiness zone? Use our map to locate yours! Plant these with mulch as they thrive when having that even moisture and protection. Hydrangea care can look overwhelming, but it's pretty easy! We have a few recommendations for you while taking care of your plant. When first planted, it is important to keep the soil moist so the Hydrangea can become established in its area. Afterward, water consistently as you would other plants.

A lot of people wonder when to prune Bigleaf Hydrangeas. Easy! Prune after the flowering has occurred. This will encourage healthy and happy blooms later!

Partial Sun - Favoring Afternoon Shade
Water Consistently & Mulch Root System Well
Provide Well-Drained Enriched Soil
Prune Bigleaf Hydrangea After Flowering - Blooms on New Wood
Color Changing Depending on pH

This is a fan favorite Hydrangea. You'll love the variations in color and life it'll give your landscape! Order your own cute little shade garden Froggie™ Bigleaf Hydrangea from NatureHills.com today!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does Froggie™ Bigleaf Hydrangea grow well in my zone 5 garden?

Froggie™ Bigleaf Hydrangea is hardy in USDA zones 6-9 and won't survive zone 5 winters. The plant needs the milder temperatures of zone 6 and warmer to thrive. Consider cold-hardy hydrangea varieties like Endless Summer or panicle hydrangeas for your zone 5 garden.

What type of soil does Froggie™ Bigleaf Hydrangea prefer, and does pH matter?

Froggie™ Bigleaf Hydrangea's bloom color changes dramatically based on soil pH. Alkaline soil produces pinker blooms, acidic soil creates moody blues, and neutral pH maintains the signature green-purple coloration. Use a soil tester to determine your pH and achieve your desired color when you shop at Nature Hills.

How often should I water Froggie™ Bigleaf Hydrangea?

Water Froggie™ Bigleaf Hydrangea deeply 1-2 times per week, providing about 1 inch of water total. These hydrangeas love consistent moisture, especially in zones 6-9 where they thrive. Check soil moisture by inserting your finger 2 inches deep - water when it feels dry at that depth.

When and how do I prune Froggie™ Bigleaf Hydrangea?

Prune Froggie™ Bigleaf Hydrangea in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Remove only dead, damaged, or weak stems since this variety blooms on old wood. Light pruning maintains the strong stem structure that holds up against storms.

How do I plant Froggie™ Bigleaf Hydrangea upon arrival?

Plant in partial shade with afternoon protection from hot sun. Choose a location with consistent moisture, like near water features or shaded gutters. Test your soil pH first to determine bloom color, then dig a hole twice the width of the root ball.