SHRUBS > HYDRANGEA

IN THIS GUIDE

HYDRANGEA GUIDES

pink and purple hydrangeas growing in a garden, with blue hydrangeas in the background

Climbing HydrangeaCompanion PlantsContainer GrowingCuttings PropagationDrying FlowersKeeping Flowers BlueLeaves Turning BrownPruningVarieties – Dwarf Varieties

Hydrangeas are those pretty Chamaeleon of the plant kingdom that red - shift or blue - fault their flowers ’ hues depending on the soil pH.

These long - lived perennials are mostly deciduous and bear high - colour flower - heads over long flower season .

purple, pink and white hydrangea shrub growing outside

H. paniculata

They occur in sedate as well as nab feeling of colours rate from reddish pink to blue , often with rather differently coloured flowers on the same branch .

“ I make love Hydrangeas because they are so useful in floral design work , particularly in enceinte installations , ” shares Floral Designer Judith Blacklock .

Overview

PreferredFull Sun , Partial Sun or Full Shade

ExposureSheltered or exhibit

Height0.5 – 2.5 M

hydrangea paniculatas with white and pink flowers growing in a cluster together outside

H. paniculata

Spread1 – 2 M

Bloom TimeSummer / Autumn

PreferredMost fertile soils

panicle hydrangeas with white flowering heads growing outside

Panicle Hydrangeas

MoistureMoist but well drained

pHAcidic – Neutral

Hydrangea is a flowering plant that is represented by an immense issue of varieties that faithfully produce lush corymb of dainty flowers in many gorgeous shades , from soft ointment to bright purple .

purple hydrangeas flowering in rows outside

They blossom during summer and autumn .

The hydrangea genus numbers or so 80 specie plus several hundred cultivars.1The BRAHMS Project , University of Oxford , Department of Plant Sciences . ( n.d.-f).Hydrangea metal money . Oxford University Plants . Retrieved March 20 , 2023 , fromhttps://herbaria.plants.ox.ac.uk/bol/plants400/Profiles/GH/Hydrangea

A bulk of the flower garden works commonly referred to as ‘ Hydrangeas ’ descend fromH. macrophylla , whileH. paniculata , H. aborescensandH. serrataare three other mintage that are parent to popular garden plant .

several large blue flowering hydrangea bushes growing next to a brick path

Garden hydrangeas should not be confused withclimbing hydrangeaswhich are , you guessed it , climbers .

Several varieties derived fromH. paniculatagrow to be small trees , while a few others stem from species likeH.quercifoliamake heavy bushes and hedges .

In this clause we focus on hydrangea , the deciduous shaggy-coated bush that typically attain heights of 50 - 150 curium .

purple flowering hydrangea plant potted outside

“ A cardinal peak to bear in mind with Hydrangeas is they need good deal of moisture to maturate well , as stated by the plant ’s name , which get from the Greek word Hydra , meaning water , ” explains Gardener and Master Horticulturist Roy Nicol .

“ Therefore , in lovesome weather , even watering is a must or you’re able to establish an irrigation system . ”

Garden Hydrangeas

What one might call ‘ Garden Hydrangeas ’ are classified into several groups .

The popular and most unremarkably - grown ones in the United Kingdom are Hortensia Hydrangeas .

They derive fromH. macrophyllaand are further sub - divided into mophead and lacecap types .

a tray full of potted hortensias with purple, white and pink flowers outside

In the United States , Oakleaf Hydrangeas , which deduce fromH. quercifoliaare among the most democratic .

Panicle Hydrangeas , which descend fromH. paniculata , are also grown on both sides of the pool .

Hydrangeas enjoy a well - deserved repute as the chameleons of the flora kingdom .

gardener holding a white flowering hydrangea over a pot full of soil, ready to be repotted

The chameleonic ones come fromH. macrophyllaandthe colours of their bloom shiftbetween ruby - pink for soils with alkaline pH to blue for soils with acidic pH.

They go over-embellished for pH level in between , with the bloom colour able to be influenced by you , the gardener .

In nature , the parent metal money ’ flower come about in colours within this same range of mountains .

a blue watering can watering blue and pink flowering hydrangeas growing in a pot outside

The flowers occur in impenetrable , usually rounded , corymb or flush - psyche .

The ‘ flowers ’ are compose of four sepal in the softest lilacs through to the most vivacious reds , and they let in bicoloured blooms as well .

H. macrophyllavarieties , or Hortensia Hydrangeas , have especially attractive foliage .

green, pink and white hydrangea plant growing outside

The leaves are of brilliant , racy green shadiness and are attractively ‘ cut ’ as they display quite a decorative serrate margin and a fine oval to oviform physical body .

Add to all these attributes hydrangeas ’ abject maintenance needs , their floriferousness , and their long flowering time of year , and it is easy to see why these works have never experienced a dip in popularity .

Planting Guidelines

hydrangea are usually buy in the form of potted plants .

you’re able to leave them in the container they come in , graft them , or re - pot them .

Where To Plant

The idealistic location for these plants will land them Sunday in the dawn and shade or filtered sunlight in the afternoon .

Hydrangeas are broadly speaking well sit in a sheltered slur ; specifically , they should be sheltered from the North lead .

A layer of mulch will keep the territory temperature unchanging and thereby protect the root from the sick effects of both high and blue temperatures to which Hydrangeas are quite raw .

Repotting / Transplanting

The best time of year to transplant or re - jackpot is a month or two after the flowering season is over , which would be sometime in fall .

The best time to do it is in the morning .

Potted plants should be potted on about every three year as a general rule , or when the roots become visible through or in the drainage hole at the bottom .

The works should be re - potted to the next - bigger size pot .

To graft , prepare a hole in the soil about as deep as the container that the plant is in and nearly twice as wide .

After removing the plant with the dirt from the pot , ensure that the roots are not root - bound .

If they are , softly spread them out but this should be done quick as hydrangeas should be re - potted or transplant quickly and expeditiously .

circularize the antecedent and backfill the cakehole , acquire precaution that the dirt stock is the same as it was in the container and not lower .

Give the transplanted ( or re - potted ) plant a deep watering .

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Soil Requirements

The best soil for Hydrangeas is a fertile loam composed of sand , shabu and clay remedy with constitutional compost .

The grime should drain well but keep wet , which may be accomplished by adding vermiculite to the soil .

hydrangea will do well in wide diverge soil pH ; however , a slightly acidulent to neutral territory pH is considered ideal.2Williams , T. ( 2012 , September 20).Hydrangea efflorescence flex colors based on soil pH tier . CAES Newswire . recollect March 20 , 2023 , fromhttps://newswire.caes.uga.edu/story/4542/blue-pink-or-lavender.html

In this range a pay variety ’s flowers ’ chromaticity will stay true to type and not veer toward either crimson - pink or grim .

Varieties that bear violet flowers and multi - hue flush will also perform very well .

Watering

These plants need rich and thorough tearing during the growing time of year .

About twice a hebdomad is sufficient .

The grunge should stay just moist , especially in summer .

When the top centimetre of soil finger dry , it is time to water again .

Feeding

Hydrangeas may be fertilised once a year .

Do so in spring just when the industrial plant has started to put out leaves .

Use a conventional balanced fertiliser or or else , just put on constitutional compost or ( a light applications programme of ) constituent manure .

Where feeding Hydrangeas is come to , the saying ‘ less is more ’ ought to be kept in mind .

References