How to Choose, Plant and Care for Hydrangeas

The hydrangea plant is a colorful addition to almost any landscape and produces large showy flowers throughout the summer. This shrub is popular in both northern and southern states and takes little care to produce spectacular blooms.

When and How to Plant Hydrangeas

“Planting your hydrangeas in early spring or in the fall is ideal,” according to Wayside Gardens Hydrangea Care Guide.” When you are planting a hydrangea remember that the blooms and stems must be protected from strong winds and the hot afternoon sun,” the guide advises.

Hydrangeas should be planted in moist, well draining soil in full or partial sun, depending on the variety and gardening zone. Dig a hole about two feet across and one foot deep. A general purpose fertilizer is suggested.

Hundreds of varieties of hydrangea have been identified making it important to follow the recommendations on the plant label for correct sun exposure. If planted in the summer heat they will require more water until the roots are established

Adjust Hydrangea Color by Changing Soil pH

Clemson University’s Home and Garden Information Center Publication 1067 states: “Flower color is determined indirectly by the soil pH, which affects the availability of aluminum in the soil. In acid soils the flowers will be blue, in alkaline soils the flowers will be pink. Aluminum is available to the plant in acid soils.”

White varieties of the plant are not affected by the soil pH.

Pruning the Hydrangea

The hydrangea will require a full year’s growth before producing good flowers and should be pruned during late winter or early spring. Remove dead wood and gangly stems.

Regular pruning will eliminate the need for more severe pruning later. Hydrangea shrubs can reach 5 feet in height and the flowers can be heavy and droop if allowed to grow on long gangly stems.

Popular Hydrangea Cultivars

• Peegee Hydrangea (Hydrangea Paniculata). Hardy to zone 3, this plant has blooms that start as white and age to pink and eventually brown.
• Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea Quercifolia). It blooms best where summers are hot and gets its name from the shape of the flowers.
• Annabelle Hydrangea (Hydrangea Arborescens). A stunning white, it is sometimes planted as a hedge.
• Limelight Hydrangea (Hydrangea Paniculata). Varies in color from green in northern climates to creamy white in the south.
• Lacecap Hydrangea (Hydrangea Macrophylla normalis). Fits well under trees and is easier to fit in the landscape than the mophead varieties.

Source: Wayside Gardens Hydrangea Care Guide

Source; Clemson University’s HGIC Publication 1067, prepared by Marjan Kluepfel, HGIC Information Specialist, and Bob Polomski, Extension Consumer Horticulturist, Clemson University.