Following just a few simple growing tips for hydrangea will produce healthy plants with fluffy colorful blooms year after year.
Most varieties thrive in full sun to part shade, as long as they are planted in moist, rich soil. Although hydrangeas are shade tolerant, they require adequate sunlight and irrigation to bloom properly. In northern climates and coastal areas, hydrangeas will grow beautifully in full sun, but in warmer southern areas, a location in part shade where the shrub receives full to partial morning sun with protection from harsh afternoon sun is ideal.
When planting hydrangeas, remember that the blooms and stems must be protected from strong winds as well as the hot afternoon sun. Planting them in open areas with strong winds could break stems. To protect them, plant hydrangeas on the eastern side of a building or structure to ensure that, in the afternoon, when the sun is at its hottest, your hydrangea plants are in the shade.
Make sure your hydrangea's roots have good drainage. If the soil is too wet, the roots might rot, causing the plant to die.
You can plant hydrangeas from early spring to fall. If you are planting hydrangeas in the summer, they will need a lot more water initially to get the root system established. The cooler temperatures of spring and fall put less stress on the transplanted hydrangea.
Incorporate generous amounts of organic matter and an all-purpose, slow-release fertilizer into the soil to give your hydrangea a strong start. Hydrangea flowers change color depending on the soil conditions: see Changing Hydrangea Color before choosing a fertilizer because certain elements of the fertilizer affect the soil pH, which is a major determinant of bloom color in the pink and blue varieties.
Placed in the right location, given ample moisture, and pruned using the guidelines above, your hydrangeas will be an abundant source of gorgeous blooms long into the future.
Water your hydrageas deeply once a week, more, if the weather is particularly hot or dry.
Hydrangeas do not require pruning, but most will benefit from it. Prune different varieties differently: see Pruning Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas may produce pink, blue, or lavender blooms, depending on soil conditions. If you want to change or intensify the color see Adjusting Hydrangea Color
SHOP FOR HYDRANGEATo download our Complete Hydrangea Care Guide, please follow this link. Because the file is in PDF format, Adobe Reader may be required to view it. We hope that you will enjoy this guide and refer to it for years to come.
