(Big Leaf Hydrangea) Cityline™ Rio is a small to medium compact shrub.  It's an early bloomer with large flowers that have an attractive green eye when opening.  The flowers range in color from strong blue to purple depending upon the availability of aluminum.  Don't be afraid to prune or shear this plant hard if you wish to maintain a smaller size shrub.  Prune immediately after flowering, because it blooms on old wood therefore flower buds set the summer prior to blooming.  Cityline™ Rio is a knockout flowering shrub.  Excellent in groupings or masses, in perennial or shrub borders, as a specimen, screen or hedge.  Use in mixed containers, containers, or for fresh and dried cut flowers. Tired of floppy, weak stemmed Hydrangeas, especially when they're in full bloom? The Cityline™ Hydrangea series is the answer. These new and improved hybrids have strong stems with large flowers and vivid colors; each variety has a slightly different color shade. They only reach 1 to 3 feet in height and have a neat, tight habit along with dark green glossy foliage. The short habits of these beauties make it easy to protect them in the winter. Simply rake leaves on top of these little plants to ensure the flower buds are protected. Cityline™ Hydrangeas are what homeowners have been waiting. These maintenance free plants will require no pruning and that results in more flowers the next coming summer. They're all noted for excellent mildew resistance. Introduction Year: 2009Patent Strings: Cityline™ Rio Hydrangea macrophylla 'Ragra'