Flower Color

• Masja hydrangea flowers are considered mopheads. Mophead hydrangeas bear their sepals, or showy part of the flower, in a solid head, dome or mass of color and are sometimes referred to as hortensia types. Masja flowers are vivid red to deep pink in alkaline soils, but will portray a little purple in the center when planted in an acidic environment. The mophead is very tight, giving it a ball shape. The stems are very thick and can withstand the heavy flower head.
  
  

Size

• Drawf hydrangeas make a wonderful patio plant.Brand X Pictures/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images
  
  Masja hydrangeas are a dwarf variety, growing only to 3 to 4 feet in height and width. The shrub can reach 5 feet in ideal conditions. This attribute makes this an ideal choice for a foundation planting. Dwarf hydrangeas also work well for container planting. You can place your hydrangea anywhere around the yard that you need a splash of color in the shade. The leaves are dark, glossy green and deciduous and offer a great texture next to fine-leaved plants.
  
  

Growing Tips

• The name hydrangea comes from the Greek word "hydra," meaning water, and "angeon," meaning "vessel." Plants are often assigned names based on physical characteristics or cultural requirements, and hydrangeas are no exception. Hydrangeas are water-loving plants. This fact should be taken into consideration when choosing a permanent site for your plant. Coastal regions of the country can afford to plant hydrangeas in full sun, due to water availability. Hot, dry areas of the country need to plant bigleaf hydrangeas in partial shade to prevent wilting.
  
  

Pruning

• Masja hydrangeas bloom on the previous year's growth, so if you prune your hydrangea back in winter or early spring, you will be pruning off the flower buds that have set last fall. Pruning should be done right after bloom to prevent this problem. Hydrangea stems are thick and fleshy, so use a sharp, clean pair of pruners. Prune off spent flower heads back to a healthy set of leaves, remove all dead, diseased or broken branches and prune to shape in middle to late summer.