Hydrangea Care – How to Keep Hydrangeas Healthy and Happy

Hydrangeas come in an array of shades and cultivars, each one influenced by soil pH levels and sun exposure.

Plant a hardy hydrangea suitable to your zone by digging a hole twice as wide as its container and mixing compost into heavy clay or sandy soil for better drainage.

Location

If you ask a group of gardeners what they appreciate most about hydrangeas, many would likely mention their flowers’ ability to change colors as the answer. Others may mention its ability to resist cold and drought conditions and its long bloom time from summer through fall that never fails to impress with large size, lush color, and longevity in landscape settings.

Planting hydrangeas at the correct time and in well-drained soil with regular watering is the key to their success. They should either be planted after frost has passed in springtime, or in early fall at least eight weeks prior to frost date in autumn – this gives their roots the best opportunity to become established before temperatures decrease and their roots rot away.

Location selection is also of vital importance when planting hydrangeas. Since they don’t like hot weather, it is best to choose a spot where there is some indirect light throughout the day; an ideal site would be on the east side of your home where full sun would hit in the morning before becoming shaded by afternoon.

Different species and cultivars (flavors of hydrangeas) produce various flower styles. Mophead hydrangeas produce fluffy heads of blooms while lacecap hydrangeas have more of a cone shape. An excellent oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) option can handle winter in most parts of the country while still having some floppability issues when subjected to heavy rainstorms; however there have been new varieties developed specifically with more stable foundations.

Hydrangeas that bloom on old wood should not be pruned during the winter or spring as this will remove flower buds for summer flowering and result in no flowers being produced by the plant. New wood blooming hydrangeas should be pruned early spring before their growth commences.

If planting hydrangeas in the ground, adding some organic material such as compost or peat into the soil will help them create a firm foundation over time. Also consider layering mulch or leaves around their bases to provide insulation against temperature swings and keep roots moist.

Soil

Hydrangeas prefer soil that is high in organic matter and well drained; they cannot stand wet or soggy conditions. Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the root ball of your hydrangea without going any deeper than the original growing point (crown). When planting it directly in the ground, mix in plenty of garden compost or manure as this will improve soil structure, while in containers or potted plants 6X natural fertilizer mixed into the soil is perfect for increasing its humus content and encouraging healthy roots.

Prep the soil by clearing away any weeds and large stones larger than your fist, then select an area with full sun or partial shade for best results. When planting directly in the ground, use organic material as well as mulch to maintain moisture in the soil, while when container planting hydrangeas add crocks or broken ceramic tiles at the bottom to help avoid too quickly drying out of your container.

Hydrangeas have specific flower color requirements that depend on soil pH levels; acidic soils below 6.0 will promote blue and lavender-blue blooms while alkaline soils above 7.0 support pinks and reds in their blooms. If your hydrangeas aren’t producing what you expect, try adding dolomitic lime to increase pH.

Watering regularly is essential in keeping hydrangeas thriving and blooming, otherwise their roots could dry out, becoming dormant and failing to produce flowers.

Hydrangeas planted in high pH soils may benefit from periodic applications of liquid iron. Just a tablespoon can revive dormant plants and encourage blooming.

Hydrangeas are hungry plants and need to be fed. Use Osmocote fertilizers during spring and midsummer for maximum bloom production and avoid overfeeding with fertilizer – overdoing it may result in excess foliage and poor flower production, so be careful not to go overboard!

Water

Hydrangeas make an elegant addition to any home decor, and can even bring year-round enjoyment! Incorporating plants and flowers into your space will improve the air quality while making you happier – but making sure your hydrangeas remain healthy is key if they continue to bloom and flourish! Here are some tips for maintaining their wellbeing:

When planting hydrangeas it is crucial that proper drainage be considered. Soggy or wet soil conditions will suffocate the roots, leading to root rot.

Plant your hydrangeas in loose and loamy soil that features a mix of sand, silt and clay for best results. Gypsum, an all-natural mineral used to break up heavy clay deposits while helping retain moisture levels in your soil is also effective at improving drainage; organic material like compost or peat moss also increase water retention rates.

Hydrangeas depend on water for their health and color; using distilled or rainwater will help your flowers remain vibrant without turning yellow, while tap water with sodium or chlorine could strip their hue and cause them to wilt more quickly.

As part of your hydrangea cutting preparations, it is vitally important to strip away portions of their stems that will come into contact with water in order to prevent bacterial growth and allow the stems to absorb more efficiently, keeping your flowers looking their freshest for longer. Doing this helps ensure bacterial-free blooms!

For optimal success when growing hydrangeas in containers, the ideal pot should have an 8 inch diameter/width larger than their root ball. Furthermore, using leaves, wood mulch or straw as insulation would further aid the results.

Hydrangeas can thrive in full sun, partial shade and shade environments. Their bloom color depends on their exposure to light as well as their age and the soil conditions where they’re planted.

Pruning

Hydrangeas may seem complex to care for, but when provided with regular attention they can be rewarding. Proper planting, watering and pruning practices will ensure their long-term survival and success.

Pruning hydrangeas in late winter or early spring before new growth begins is beneficial in terms of eliminating dead stems, as well as protecting them against fungi and insects, while channeling energy towards creating fresh blooms that bloom again later on.

Your type of hydrangea will dictate when and how you prune. Some varieties (such as Endless Summer hydrangeas ) bloom on both old and new wood, making it simpler to prune; others ( such as panicle and smooth hydrangeas ) only set flower buds on old wood, making pruning them more challenging.

When pruning hydrangeas, always cut just above a set of large leaves to avoid overcutting their stems, as this could result in smaller blooms. Furthermore, remove any faded flowers to enhance the shrub’s appearance and promote new growth.

Utilizing the correct tool for pruning hydrangeas is of utmost importance when performing this task. A pair of garden shears usually does just fine for most varieties; for more precise cuts however, consider investing in bypass pruners or loppers.

As soon as your pruning is completed, place mulch around the base of your hydrangeas. Mulch will help retain moisture, regulate soil temperature and suppress weeds.

If you are unable to prune your hydrangeas during winter, place a layer of mulch or straw about a foot high on top of them to protect the shrubs from frost damage and insulate any developing buds. This will protect both their beauty and their buds’ development.

Maintaining healthy and vibrant hydrangeas requires dedication, but their rewards will last all summer long. By choosing appropriate fertilizers and maintaining a regular pruning schedule, your flowers will flourish for years. If you need assistance or simply require expert guidance in caring for hydrangeas, Vinedresser Lawn & Landscape has experienced team of professionals ready to assist with caring for them properly! Reach out now – and they can help your flowers look their best all year.