Hydrangeas are one of the most popular plants in today’s landscape. They change everything in the landscape. A corner garden that was once in need of some color, add a hydrangea and you have instant success. Beautiful landscapes can be achieved with the simple use of a mass of Oakleaf hydrangeas underneath an allee of trees. A small group of three Original Endless Summer hydrangeas that shine bright blue all summer long provide easy success.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when growing and caring for the Wonderful World of Hydrangeas:
- WATER
- When purchasing a hydrangea buy a soaker hose with a timer.
- This will decrease the time you spend watering the hydrangea to establish the plant
- Guarantees a deep and thorough soaking
- When purchasing a hydrangea buy a soaker hose with a timer.
- A good 45 minute deep and thorough soaking a few times a week depending on temperatures is recommended
- The higher the temps, the more water needed
- If you only want to water a small group, use another non-soaker hose to get to where you need
- The important thing to remember is that you will always need to water regardless of type of plant.
- It often comes down to how long and how often you water
- If the leaves are drooping and look tired that’s because they require more water
- If the tips of the leaves are brown it was because water was not given in time
- You can save the plant with a deep, thorough soaking
- Water stress will generally show in late afternoon when the sun is at its hottest
- Starter Products
- Not all fertilizers were created equal:
- Holganix Bloom is recommended to establish your hydrangeas
- Yucca extract is included to reduce watering times
- Not a fertilizer!
- Beneficial bacteria and fungi for speedier rooting and establishing
- More vivacious blooms, you’ll see the difference
- Use this three times throughout the growing season to see best results
- Holganix Bloom is recommended to establish your hydrangeas
- How do I change the color of my hydrangea?
- Some colors can be changed by adjusting pH
- pH is a scale from 1 to 14 (1 being the most acid to 14 being the most alkaline)
- Not all fertilizers were created equal:
- An good average soil pH is from 6.0 to 6.5 (which is closer to neutral than acidic)
- Our New England soils are usually around a 5.0-5.5 (which is great for evergreens)
- Blue changes to pink with lime (or lime-based products)
- Pink changes to Blue with sulfur based products (Also Aluminum Sulfate)
- White fades to Pink or shades of red, but can never be reversed
- Red can change to Purple (most of the time or a shade of it)
- When using these products it’s important to remember not to use them the first year of planting
- The sulfur and lime can deter the plant from a healthy establishment time
- When do I prune my Hydrangea?
- It all depends on the variety
- Keep records on what you purchase
- This will help you know how to prune your plants and problems that arise with certain types
- Most of the new varieties on the market today can be pruned on either old or new wood
- Check the labels on the plant
- Brands like Proven Winners (PW White Pot) or Monrovia (the green pot) have all the information you need right on their branded tags
- Endless Summer Hydrangeas are best pruned in the Fall
- But you can do it in the early spring because they bloom on old or new wood
- Don’t prune until they are at least 3-4 years of age to allow them to branch out
- A radical idea in the first year is to prune off at least 1-2 sets of buds to allow the plant to root better
- Try out new types of Hydrangeas
- There are multiple types of hydrangeas and there is plenty of different applications for each of them
- Types of Hydrangeas:
- Mopheads
- Original Endless Summer
- Enchantress
- Let’s Dance Moonlight
- Blushing Bride
- Lacecaps
- Twist n’ Shout Endless Summer
- Wedding Gown
- Tuff Stuff
- Blue Billows
- Oakleaf
- Snow Queen
- Munchkin
- Alice
- Late Panicle
- Bobo
- Limelight
- Pinky Winky
- Quickfire
- Michael Dirr’s book Hydrangeas for American Gardens is a great reference for types and care.
- Mopheads
- Check the labels on the plant