It is a type of macrophylla (bigleaf hydrangea) with bubblegum pink mophead flowers. Received inbloom now and as a gift plant, it is most likely a greenhouse grown or florist's plant and therefore has received a very coddled and sheltered life :-) It needs to be gradually transitioned to the outdoors before planting in the ground. Morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal or all day filtered shade. Moist but well-drained soil -- the same conditions for any other bigleaf hydrangea.

Thank you so much gardengal. I was hoping one of you super knowledgeable folks would cruise this forum. I was thinking the same thing about the whole greenhouse/florist treatment. I set it outside yesterday. I am thinking to plant it on the shady north facing side of the house.

it may take a season or 3 before it preforms--be patient.

I also received one of these hydrangeas as a gift. It was beginning to look a little sick inside so I planted it outside in what seemed like an ideal spot, filtered sunlight in the morning and shade in the afternoon. It perked up that day and the next morning but by the afternoon, it looked wilted and sick again. I watered it again. Hope it looks better tomorrow, however I'm afraid it won't make it. :(

I planted an Easter issue: a "sheltered" Merritt's Supreme (probably similar to yours) - in full sun. Some of the "original" leaves began to turn dark and crack/wilt at the edges, but the newer leaves (since transplant) seem to be holding up. One thing I tried is a 2.5' long aluminum baking pan held to the ground and upright by metal stakes, shielding the young plant from afternoon sun. For the acclimation I gradually tilted it west to allow more and more sun to hit every few days. The wilt has greatly slowed now, even with the arrival of hotter and hotter days.