Planting and Care for Hydrangea
There are a wide variety of hydrangeas all with there own unique
size, color, and growth habit. Hydrangeas tend to come in a wide
range of colors from white to pink to blue. Most hydrangeas range
between 4 feet and 12 feet. Although hydrangeas require a little bit
of effort, once they bloom you will see that the effort has paid
off. By following the guidelines listed below you will be sure to
have the most beautiful blooming hydrangeas.
Site Selection
Choosing the right place to plant your hydrangea is one of the most
important steps in achieving a beautiful bloom. Hydrangeas are
greatly affected by everything from the pH of the soil to how windy
the site is.
When planting your hydrangea pick a location that receives full sun
to partial shade. Hydrangeas seem to perform the best with full
morning sun and cool afternoon shade. Planting hydrangea in a
protected area that does not receive strong winds will also benefit
the result. High winds tend to dry out the soft foliage causing
extreme stress. Hydrangeas can grow in a large array of soil types,
but to ensure the best performance plant in soil that is moist and
rich in organic matter. The pH of the soil does not affect the
growth habit however; it does affect the color of the bloom. A low
ph, mean high acid levels, will cause the bloom to be a shade of
blue. Conversely, a high pH, due to low acid levels, will cause the
flowers to be a shade of pink. This may cause problems when
selecting a color because the soil in the pot may be a different pH
than the soil in your yard. This will cause the flower color to
differ from the expected color.
When and How to Plant
Since hydrangeas bloom on new growth, the best time to plant them is
early fall. To begin, prepare the bed by amending the soil with
matured compost. Then dig the hole roughly 24 inches wider than the
root ball. The hole should be large enough to allow the roots to be
spread out. Remove the hydrangea from its pot and loosen the matter
roots. Place the shrub in the hole so that the crown is even with
the soil. Before backfilling the hole, fan the roots out around the
hole. Backfill the hole firming gently to remove and air pockets and
to provide support. Finish by watering thoroughly.
Care
To ensure a stronger bloom, we recommend fertilizing twice a year,
in early spring and late fall, with a slow release fertilizer.
However, fertilizing before they are established will inhibit
growth. Be sure not to over fertilize. Over fertilizing will cause
the shrub to focus its growth on the foliage and not on flowering,
this will causing the leaves to be lush and green but have an
absence of blooms. Hydrangeas tend to be relatively resistant to
most pests and disease. Since hydrangeas bloom on new growth some
light pruning is required. For more information on pruning, check
out our Hydrangea Pruning Guide.
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