Quck answer
Hydrangeas are beautiful flowering plants that can bring color and charm to any garden. To grow hydrangeas successfully, follow these steps:
1. Choose the right location: Hydrangeas prefer partial shade and well-drained soil. Avoid areas with direct sunlight or heavy clay soil.
2. Planting: Dig a hole twice the width and depth of the plant’s root ball. Place the hydrangea in the hole and fill it with soil, ensuring the plant is level with the ground.
3. Watering: Hydrangeas need regular watering, especially during dry periods. Keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged.
4. Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer in spring and summer to promote healthy growth and vibrant blooms.
5. Pruning: Prune hydrangeas after they finish flowering to remove dead or damaged branches and shape the plant.
By following these simple steps, you can enjoy the beauty of hydrangeas in your garden.
Hydrangeas (​Hydrangea​ spp.) are flowering shrubs that are loved for their large, colorful blooms. These versatile plants come in a variety of sizes and shapes, making them a great addition to any garden. Whether you choose to grow climbing hydrangeas, dwarf varieties, or bushy hedges, these plants are sure to impress with their beautiful flowers that bloom from summer through fall.
Best Uses for Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas are perfect for a variety of uses in the garden. Their climbing and creeping varieties can be used as ground cover or grown on walls, while dwarf varieties are great for containers. Hydrangeas also make excellent deciduous flowering hedges and treelike plants. Their large flower clusters, which come in different sizes and shapes, are sure to impress:
- ​Mophead:​ These are large, round clusters of flowers and are the most famous type of hydrangea flower.
- ​Lacecap:​ These have centers made of small blossoms and edges adorned with larger flowers.
- ​Cone:​ These are shaped like footballs and are usually the size and shape of a football.
Hydrangeas are not only beautiful on the plant, but also make great additions to wedding floral arrangements. Some species even change colors as they age or have different hues depending on the soil pH.
Tip
When planting hydrangeas, make sure to give them plenty of room to grow. Avoid planting them under trees, as the competition with the roots can prevent the plants from thriving. Also, avoid growing them in windy areas, as their stems can snap easily. Finally, be careful when planting in areas with pets or children because the leaves and flower buds are toxic to dogs, cats, and humans.
How to Grow Hydrangeas
If you want to grow hydrangeas, follow these instructions:
- ​Common Name: ​Hydrangea
- ​Botanical Name: ​​Hydrangea​ spp.
- ​When to Plant: ​Spring or fall
- ​USDA Zones: ​3-9, depending on species
- ​Sun Exposure: ​Varies by species and location, but almost all do well with partial shade
- ​Soil Type: ​Well-draining soil that is slightly acidic and rich in organic matter
- ​Signs of a Problem: ​Pests on foliage or stems, failure to bloom, spots on leaves or flowers
- ​Signs of a Healthy Plant: ​Large green leaves and large clusters of flowers that bloom from summer through fall depending on the species
Starting Hydrangeas From a Young Plant
Commercial hydrangeas are not seed grown. They are most often propagated from stem cuttings and sold as rooted plants. To start them from a young plant, follow these instructions:
- To plant a hydrangea, dig a hole that is twice as wide as the nursery container and the same depth. This will give the roots enough space to spread. If planting multiple hydrangeas, ensure that they are at least 3 feet apart, but check the species and cultivar recommendations as this may vary. Dwarf varieties do not require as much spacing as hedges.
- Include organic matter such as compost when preparing the planting site, not just the hole itself. For potted plants, use a potting mix that contains peat moss, perlite or vermiculite.
- Remove the plant from its container and gently loosen the roots, freeing any bound or twisted roots before placing it in the hole. The crown should be slightly higher than it was in the nursery container.
- When positioned correctly, fill the hole with the soil that was removed and water thoroughly.
- Add a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch around the plant, ensuring that it is at least 2 inches away from the crown.
Which Zones are Best for Hydrangeas?
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Hydrangeas can grow in zones 3 through 9 depending on the species, but bigleaf hydrangeas are best suited to zones 5 or 6 through 9. For cooler zones, look for panicle or smooth hydrangea species.
When is the Best Time to Plant Hydrangeas?
The best time to plant hydrangeas varies depending on the species and region. Generally, it is best to plant them in late spring or early fall in areas with cool winters to avoid frost and peak summer heat. In areas without snow, they can be planted from mid-fall to early spring.
Soil, Sunlight, and Water Requirements for Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas require rich, well-draining, slightly acidic soil. They require consistent moisture and are not drought-tolerant. Maintain a 2- to 4-inch layer of mulch to retain moisture and suppress weed growth. Fertilize with a slow-release 10-10-10 fertilizer in early and late spring.
Sunlight needs vary depending on the species and region. In southern regions, hydrangeas tolerate only a few hours of morning sun, while in northern regions, they can tolerate full sun. In areas in between, provide afternoon shade to protect them from harsh midday and afternoon sun. Hydrangeas grown in shade tend to grow larger, but some species still require a few hours of sunlight.
Steps to Propagate Hydrangeas
- During early summer, cut 5-6 inch tip cuttings from stems without flowers.
- Remove the bottom leaves and cut full-size leaves in half.
- Apply a powdered rooting hormone according to the instructions on the package to encourage growth.
- Place the cuttings in a pot with sterile potting mix, with at least one node above and below the mix.
- Water the cuttings thoroughly and cover them loosely with a clear plastic bag to increase humidity.
- Put the pot in an area with bright, indirect light and away from direct sunlight.
- Check the soil every few days and water when it begins to dry.
- After three weeks, gently tug on the stems to see if roots have started to form.
- Transplant the rooted cutting into a larger pot or directly into the landscape, making sure to keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy.
Harvesting Hydrangeas
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To cut flowers, use sharp pruners to clip them from the bushes. To preserve the flowers, harvest them at your preferred color stage and begin drying them immediately. Alternatively, you can leave the flowers on the plant until they dry naturally, but the colors will fade, and the petals may become brittle. Keep in mind that some varieties need to be deadheaded to promote new bud growth.
Pruning Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas don’t require a lot of pruning, but it may be necessary to improve their appearance and increase airflow and sunlight. However, the method and timing of pruning varies based on the species. Some species bloom only on old wood, while others bloom only on new wood.
Hydrangeas that bloom on old wood start growing flower buds in late summer to fall, and they should be pruned in summer after the flowering stage ends and before new buds start to grow. This group includes bigleaf, oakleaf, climbing, and mountain hydrangea species. Avoid pruning this group in winter or spring unless you’re removing dead, diseased, or broken branches. Otherwise, you won’t get flowers that year. Only prune as necessary since this group should not be subjected to heavy pruning.
Hydrangeas that bloom on new wood include smooth and panicle species. These should only be pruned in late winter or early spring just as new leaves are beginning to show. Cut branches just above a node, removing one-half to one-third of the old branches as well as all weak, dead, broken, diseased, and spindly branches.
For smooth hydrangeas, light pruning encourages plant growth, producing large shrubs with many small flowers. Heavy pruning to under 1 1/2 feet tall will leave you with smaller plants with fewer flower heads that will be notably larger. For panicle hydrangeas, cut out small branches and leave larger stems.
Common Problems and Pests for Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas are generally resistant to pests but may suffer from aphids and mites. Oakleaf varieties occasionally have issues with Japanese beetles. All of these pests can be identified visually and treated with insecticidal soap.
From time to time, plant growers encounter issues with their plants not blooming. This is most commonly seen in hydrangeas that grow on old wood, and it is often caused by improper pruning, frost damage, excessive fertilization, or insufficient light.
Hydrangeas’ Common Diseases
Hydrangeas are generally resistant to pests and diseases. However, they may occasionally suffer from bud blight, bacterial wilt, leaf spot, or powdery mildew. Bud blight can be identified by reddish-brown blotches on petals. Brown discolorations on leaves indicate bacterial wilt and leaf spot. Powdery mildew is characterized by white fuzzy spots on the foliage of the leaves.
These diseases can be prevented by avoiding excessively moist and humid conditions. It is advisable to grow hydrangeas with sufficient spacing and in well-draining areas. When watering, focus on the soil around the hydrangeas and avoid wetting the leaves or flowers. It is ideal to water them in the morning so that any water splashed on the leaves or flowers can dry in the sun and warm air throughout the day. Pruning should be done as needed to allow for proper airflow and light penetration.
FAQ
1. What are the ideal growing conditions for hydrangeas?
Hydrangeas thrive in well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. They prefer a slightly acidic soil with a pH level between 5.2 and 6.2. It is important to provide them with partial shade, especially during the hottest parts of the day. Hydrangeas also require regular watering, especially during dry periods. Mulching around the base of the plant can help retain moisture and regulate the soil temperature. Additionally, it is essential to prune hydrangeas at the right time to encourage healthy growth and abundant blooms.
2. How often should hydrangeas be watered?
Hydrangeas require regular watering to thrive. It is important to keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. The frequency of watering will depend on various factors such as the climate, soil type, and the size of the plant. As a general rule, hydrangeas should be watered deeply at least once a week, especially during hot and dry periods. It is better to water deeply and less frequently rather than providing shallow and frequent watering. Regularly checking the soil moisture level will help determine when it’s time to water the hydrangeas.
3. How do I change the color of hydrangea blooms?
The color of hydrangea blooms can be influenced by the soil pH. For most hydrangea varieties, acidic soil with a pH below 6.0 will result in blue flowers, while alkaline soil with a pH above 6.0 will produce pink flowers. To change the color of hydrangea blooms, you can adjust the soil pH accordingly. To make the soil more acidic for blue blooms, add aluminum sulfate or sulfur to the soil. To make the soil more alkaline for pink blooms, add lime or wood ash. It is important to note that not all hydrangea varieties can change their bloom color, so it’s best to check the specific requirements of the hydrangea variety you have.