Meet First Editions' first smooth hydrangea: FlowerFull

Do you love the classic blooms of Hydrangea arborescens but not love when it topples over in the wind and rain? First Editions® is here to redefine the standard with FlowerFull®, the brand’s first foray into smooth hydrangeas, new for 2025. FlowerFull® was selected as the brand’s Hydrangea arborescens debut because of its strong stems, impressive two to three times more blooms than industry standards, improvements in resistance to diseases prevalent with the species, and low-maintenance benefits in production, at retail, and in residential and commercial landscapes.

There has been a lot of breeding work done with this species, so the team at Bailey / First Editions® worked for years to make sure that they weren’t just putting out another hydrangea, but a better hydrangea.

Starting in 2016, the team, led by Debbie Lonnee, began work with long-standing partner Dr. David Zlesak to develop a new hydrangea that solved the problems for customers all along the supply chain. The breeding project had an initial focus of breeding a better production plant, making sure that growers could have a stronger, healthier product from the beginning. The team acknowledged that if a new introduction isn’t grower-friendly, it’s not going anywhere.

Parallel to the grower focus was making sure that once FlowerFull® left the nursery, it had staying power on a retail shelf and in the landscape. All those boxes must be checked before any real consideration for introduction. As all the breeding program’s accessions were evaluated, FlowerFull® instantly rose to the top as a high performer and not only checked the boxes but filled them in completely.

And that’s where the broader team came into play. Not only did the Bailey team receive plants across the country for production and in-ground trials, but additional secure trial partners and First Editions® brand licensees received samples for their own testing. It’s this broader network that either helps affirm the breeding trial’s positive results or raises concern and slows down the consideration process.

As trial feedback returned, the Bailey team saw that FlowerFull® continued to prove that it was a rock star plant across the board, even at the Bailey Innovations™ breeding facility in Athens, Georgia. Getting the thumbs-up from growers across the country gave confidence that FlowerFull® was a great national performer, backed by regional data. So, it was a go!

As FlowerFull® makes it to the retail market this spring, it stands to follow in the footsteps of major First Editions® introductions that disrupted crowded categories, like Eclipse® Bigleaf Hydrangea, Little Hottie® Panicle Hydrangea, Crimson Fire™ Fringe Flower and Cinnamon Girl® Distylium. The excitement from trial partners and those with a sneak peek are a strong precursor for what impact FlowerFull® will have with this gorgeous native selection.

FlowerFull® Smooth Hydrangea will be available this spring from First Editions® Shrubs & Trees brand licensees across North America. Don’t miss the chance to elevate your garden or retail offering with this exceptional new variety.