The hydrangea is a popular plant among gardeners, for the ease of care and beautiful, long lasting blooms they boast during the summer months. The key to growing hydrangeas is to know which type of plant will thrive in your climate. The big leaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) and mountain hydrangea (Hydrangea serrata) are two of the most common in the family of hydrangeas. Both are hardy survivors, however some tips for growing hydrangeas will give you the best possible chance to show off your green thumb with beautiful blooming plants!
Hydrangeas are deciduous bushes that have made their way through the world from their native land of Japan. The shrubs are divided into two categories by the shape of the flowers. The “lacecap” type grows with flatter, more delicate groups of petals, where the “mophead” have dome shaped flower groupings that are quite large.
The hydrangea family grows best in morning sun with afternoon shade, depending on the region you live in. If you reside in a hotter summer climate, the hydrangea plant accepts more shade and less sun. The northwest or northeast climates find hydrangeas doing well in the full sun, as it’s not quite as hot in these regions. On the other hand, too much shade will cause sparse blooms and leaves that can’t achieve their full color or growth.
The oakleaf hydrangea can handle sun or shade, although the same rule applies for this species of hydrangea as well – if you reside in hotter climates, the blooms last longer and the plant thrives better if it receives afternoon shade.
When shopping for a new hydrangea, choose one in bloom. This allows you to view the blooms to avoid having a plant that you either do not like or one that is a species that has been labeled incorrectly.
Choose the location for your new plant. Planting in early summer or fall gives the bush the best start possible. Do not plant the hydrangea under trees, where the root system may be inhibited by the large root system of the neighboring tree. Plant in a well-drained soil, or add mulch to the hole before planting. The mulch will give some space between the root system and the earth to allow for drainage.
Do not plant your hydrangea too deep. Plant up to the same degree as it sat in the pot it was purchased in.
Fertilize your hydrangea 2 times during the summer months. Use a slow-release, well-balanced fertilizer that has a composition factor of 10-10-10. If you prefer an organic fertilizer instead, hydrangeas do well with a steer manure tea or by placing steer manure around the drip line of the plant. Do not lay fertilizer around the trunk of the plant, but rather sprinkle it around the circumference of the leaves. Fertilizing once in May and then again in July is a perfect schedule. Refrain from using fertilizer after August, as the plant is ready to move into dormancy. This may produce growth that will not survive the colder months ahead.
If the plant is in need of transplant, do so when the plant has lost its leaves and is in dormancy. Late fall or winter months are the best time to do this procedure.
Water the plant well. Avoid keeping your new hydrangea in standing water. Hydrangea means, “water tub” in Greek, and while they do enjoy water, their roots will rot if left in too much water.
Keep your plant trimmed back during the blooming process. When the bloom dies, remove it immediately to allow the plant to produce healthy new growth. The dying blooms can be hung upside down to dry, then placed in a vase in your home to display the various colors of the bloom. Hydrangea blooms tend to keep some color even after drying out and dying.
Hydrangeas need minimal pruning, but reducing the size of the plant may be needed from time to time. After the plant flowers, trim the older canes to encourage plenty of new growth. Cold weather will often kill off some of the tips of branches. Prune these back in spring to allow new buds and leaves to shoot off the plant. Remove any older branches that are dead wood.
Tips for growing hydrangeas can be gathered through your local nursery as well as online. Nursery workers can assist you in the decision as to what species of hydrangea you will have the best luck with for your region, soil conditions and can offer suggestions as to which fertilizer is the best. Happy gardening!
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