Hydrangeas are very popular shrubs among gardeners worldwide. Their delicate head of flowers in blue, pink and white, beautiful foliage with specific leaf shape make them a most have in every garden. They flower from late summer till early spring and thrive in full sun or partial shade.
Hydrangea shrubs are easy to cultivate, tolerate almost any soil, and produce flowers in mid-summer through fall. They are excellent for a range of garden sites from group plantings to shrub borders to containers. With immense blossoms, hydrangeas flaunt an old-fashioned charm that is hard to resist. With colors like clear blues, vibrant pinks, frosty whites, lavender, and rose—sometimes all blooming on the same plant, this flower is perfect for any garden. Although it is not always possible, purchase a hydrangea while it is in bloom. This allows one to see how the plant will bloom. Hydrangeas are often mislabeled, and even good nurseries have difficulties keeping varieties separated when they are not in bloom. To help you grow hydrangea shrubs in your garden please follow this easy tips.
Flower color
One of the most interesting quirks of some hydrangeas is the ability of the flowers to change color. This is not true of all hydrangeas, but most often seen in the mophead and lacecap cultivars of Hydrangea macrophylla. Color changes can also be seen in flowers of others such as H. involucrata and H. serrata. This color change is due to the soil pH which affects aluminium availability. Those with blue or pink flowers tend to be blue in acid soil conditions (high available aluminium levels), mauve in acid to neutral soil conditions, and pink in alkaline conditions. To get the best flower colour, choose cultivars that give the best colors for the pH in question. White flowers, and also green-flowered cultivars, remain white or green regardless of soil pH.
Planting
Plant hydrangeas in spring or fall. Most hydrangeas thrive in rich, porous, somewhat moist soils. Add compost to enrich poor soil. They prefer full sun in the morning, with some afternoon shade; however, many will grow and bloom in partial shade. Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and 2 to 3 times as wide. Set the plant in the hole and fill it half full with soil and then add water. After water is drained, fill the rest of the hole with soil.
Watering
After planting a hydrangea, do not leave it alone. Too often we rush to get our shrubs planted before we leave on vacation. Be on hand to give it some TLC and to keep it well watered. Leaves will wilt if the soil is too dry.
Pruning
When growing, hydrangea don’t prune unless absolutely necessary, and then do so immediately after blooming. Otherwise, remove only dead stems in the spring.The common big leaf hydrangea should be pruned after flowers fade (late spring/early summer). If you prune before bloom, you may not have blossoms the following spring. Panicle and smooth hydrangeas blossom on the current seasons’ wood so they should be pruned before bloom when plant is dormant, i.e. late winter or early spring.
Care
In the fall, cover plants to a depth of at least 18 inches with bark mulch, leaves, pine needles or straw. If at all possible, cover the entire plant, tip included, by making cages out of snow fencing or chicken wire, and loosely filling the cages with leaves.
Harvest
Try drying hydrangea flowers to create a wreath or other decorations around the house.Harvest the heads when the flowers have matured and developed a papery consistency.Harvest the heads when the flowers have matured and developed a papery consistency.Remove leaves from stems, and hang upside down in a warm, dry, dark, airy room.When completely dry (usually a couple of weeks), store in a dry location out of direct sunlight.
Hydrangea - Plant Care Guide
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