It’s hard to find a garden flower with as much show-stopping potential as hydrangeas. Large flowers cover this shrub in the spring and summer. Even though they appear to require a lot of upkeep, hydrangeas are actually quite simple to grow when given the proper conditions and attention. As a result, grab your gardening gloves and get ready to plant hydrangeas in no time.
Hydrangeas: An Introduction
Hydrangeas, with their spring and summer blooms, are classified as shrubs. Hydrangeas can be quite large showstoppers in your yard, but how to grow these beauties isn’t a question even the most novice gardener has to ask. The hydrangea, which can grow up to 15 feet in height, often fills in a space in just one season. Hydrangeas are perennials in hardiness zones 3 to 7. Hydrangea flowers can serve as the foundation of your landscape because they bloom throughout the spring, summer, and even into early fall.
Hydrangeas in the Ground
You can save time and money by learning the basics of hydrangea planting, as you can with most things in your garden. You’ll be able to enjoy large, colorful hydrangea blooms for years to come if you choose the right location, get the soil just right, and plant it correctly.
Planting hydrangeas at this time of year is ideal
The best time to plant hydrangeas is in the fall, followed by the beginning of spring. Prior to blooming, give the shrub time to develop a strong root system. Early in the morning or late in the afternoon is the best time to plant. Heat stress can be alleviated during the cooler periods of the day. A well-watered new plant will be easier to maintain as it grows.
Plant hydrangeas where?
The first step in establishing a hydrangea shrub bed is to determine where it will be located. Hydrangeas are frequently found in flowerbeds next to houses or fences. This is because hydrangeas prefer the warm morning sun to the hot afternoon sun. A shady location with morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal for hydrangeas to thrive. Your home’s north or south side is most likely to have this feature. To avoid water and nutrient competition, don’t plant directly beneath trees. When strong winds blow, flowers and leaves can be ripped apart and blown away.
For hydrangeas, use the best soil
A rich, organic soil is ideal for growing hydrangeas. Good drainage is essential. Hydrangeas prefer moist soil, but they are unable to withstand waterlogged conditions. Poorly draining soils can lead to root rot if they are too wet. Your hydrangeas can die in a matter of weeks if you don’t take care of them. Prior to planting, consider amending your soil with plenty of compost if it’s particularly heavy.
How to grow hydrangeas in your garden
You can plant hydrangeas by simply digging the planting holes 2 feet wider than the rootball. A level or slightly elevated root ball will ensure that your plant is level with or slightly above the surrounding soil when it is planted. A small mound around the base of the plant aids in water drainage.
Hydrangea propagation methods
Simple propagation methods can multiply a single hydrangea exponentially. Layering in early to mid-summer is best for propagating bigleaf and panicle hydrangeas. You only need to do one thing:
- Dig a small trench next to your hydrangea plant to help it grow stronger and healthier.
- In order to reach the trench, bend a branch so that the soil in the middle of the branch touches the trench (six to 12 inches of branch should extend past the trench).
- Slash the bark where the branch comes into contact with the trench.
- Overlay a paver, brick, or stone on top of the filled-in trench.
- The branch will eventually develop its own root system, allowing it to be relocated to a new location.
New shoots emerge from the underground stems of smooth and oakleaf hydrangea varieties, respectively. Separate the young plant from the main plant by digging it up. Afterwards, it can be moved to a different location.
Tips for caring for hydrangeas
There is no need to be overly concerned about the hydrangea’s delicate leaves and flowers. Everything you need to know about caring for hydrangeas can be found right here.
Water
throughout the growing season, at a rate of one inch per week. Root growth is encouraged by deep watering three times a week. All hydrangeas benefit from regular moisture, but bigleaf and smooth hydrangeas require the most. Soak the flowers and leaves thoroughly with a soaker hose to prevent them from becoming wet and damaged. Hydrangeas will not wilt as much if watered early in the day.
Toss in some mulch.
for hydrangeas to help maintain cool, moist soil conditions. This decaying mulch provides nutrients to the soil and improves its texture over time.
Get your hands on some fertilizer.
the hydrangeas you have in mind It’s important to remember that each variety is unique and requires a different approach to application. Soil testing is the best method for determining your specific fertility requirements.
- In March, May, and June, bigleaf hydrangeas require several light fertilizer applications.
- Hydrangeas, such as oakleaf and panicle varieties, benefit from two applications, one in April and the other in June.
- In late winter, fertilize smooth hydrangeas only once.
Defend against disease and pests
by selecting cultivars that are more resistant. Hydrangeas are susceptible to leaf spots, blight, wilting, and powdery mildew. Hydrangeas do not typically have pests, but they can appear if the plants are under stress. Aphids, leaf tiers, and red spider mites are just a few examples of pests that could affect your plants. Proper hydrangea care is your best defense against disease.
Hydrangeas by Type
A wide variety of hydrangeas can be found in the United States, including:
Oakleaf: Hydrangeas do best in areas with higher temperatures. For those who live in Zone 5 or higher and enjoy the heat of summer, oakleaf hydrangeas are a great option.
Bigleaf: The most common flower is the hydrangea. Zones 5–9 are common places to find them flourishing.
Panicle: Hardy to Zone 3 are the hydrangeas. They can grow to a height of 15 feet and are easy to maintain.
Smooth: They are also known as “snowball” hydrangeas due to their large white clustered blooms. They’re a great option for those who live in colder regions.
Consider planting some of these popular hydrangeas in your garden:
French Hydrangea: The large, vivid blooms of this traditional bigleaf hydrangea have earned it the nickname “florist’s hydrangea.”.
Mophead Hydrangea: Flowers on this bigleaf hydrangea variety are large, round, and globular.
Lacecap Hydrangea: Lacy, half-blooming flowers surround smaller buds for a delicate, lacy effect.
Endless Summer Hydrangea: Bigleaf hydrangea variety discovered in the 1980’s has the ability to survive cold winters in zone 4.
Peegee Hydrangea: The Peegee (P.G.) hydrangea is actually a Grandiflora cultivar from the panicle hydrangea family, though it is trained to look like a tree.
Blue Hydrangea: The soil in which blue bigleaf hydrangeas are grown is what gives them their blue hue. The following year, a blue hydrangea you bought may bloom in a different color.
Pink Hydrangeas: are available in a wide range of hues, from flamboyant hues to more subdued hues.
FAQ
Where can I find out the exact date of hydrangea flowering?
Type and cultivar, as well as planting zone, all play a role in determining when hydrangeas bloom. Most new growth hydrangeas form buds in the early summer in preparation for blooming in the spring, summer, and early fall following that season. Hydrangeas may stop blooming during the hottest months of the year, but they will return in the fall.
How do you remove hydrangeas from a garden?
Hydrangeas don’t need to be pruned if they have enough room to grow in the garden. The only thing that needs to be done is the occasional clearing of dead trees.
Is it necessary to remove hydrangea deadheads?
Your hydrangeas will continue to bloom into the fall if you regularly remove deadheads. Hydrangeas make excellent cut flowers, and you don’t have to wait until they’re wilting to use them. It’s best to let those early fall flowers fade naturally. It’s not a good idea to encourage new growth right before your freeze date.
How can you control the color of hydrangeas?
Hydrangeas are a one-of-a-kind plant because they can be dyed any color. Even so, not all hydrangea varieties are capable of changing their colors. Hydrangea macrophylla, or bigleaf hydrangea, responds to changes in soil pH. A low pH in the soil allows hydrangeas to take up aluminum, which gives the flowers their lovely blue hue. Add sulfur or peat moss to the soil to lower the pH and increase the number of blue hydrangea flowers. Throughout the growing season, you can keep amending your soil with aluminum sulfate. Pink and red flowers shine brighter when you add ground limestone to raise the pH level of the soil.
You can fine-tune the color of your hydrangeas with the help of a soil pH test. To avoid harming the plant, keep the pH below 7.5. No matter how you care for them, hydrangeas lose their vibrant color in the fall. Don’t be alarmed; the plant will burst into bloom again in the spring.
Can hydrangeas thrive in the midst of shady conditions?
If you have a lot of shade, your hydrangeas won’t put on their best show. Hydrangeas don’t really care if they’re in the sun or the shade, but rather how much sun they get. Hydrangeas require more sunlight the further north they are located in your garden. For the most part, six hours of sunlight is the norm for most people each day. But hydrangeas that thrive in the southern states can thrive on just three hours of sunlight a day.
Hydrangeas can thrive in full sun, right?
Hydrangeas thrive in the cool morning light, but they struggle in the hot afternoon sun. In the late afternoon or evening, partial shade is ideal for these delicate beauties.
Do hydrangeas grow well in pots?
Hydrangeas can be grown in pots even if you don’t have a garden because of their beautiful blooms and easy care. Taking care of hydrangea is easy if you stick to the fundamentals of plant care. Choose a pot that is at least 18 inches in diameter to accommodate the mature size of your hydrangea plant.. Hydrangeas require a constant level of moisture, so look for containers that aren’t porous. Excess water will be able to be properly drained if there are drainage holes. Think about planting small hydrangeas, like Buttons and Bows and Mini Penny.
Hydrangeas are prone to wilting, so what can you do?
It’s best to water in the morning to avoid wilting. When it comes to hydrangeas, some varieties are simply too sensitive to the heat to thrive. Even if you give them a lot of water in the morning, they will wilt in the afternoon heat. Moisture is retained and soil temperature is lowered when a thick layer of mulch is applied. You don’t have to be concerned if your hydrangeas bloom again when the weather cools. A little afternoon wilting is better than drowning your hydrangeas.
