How to Grow Hydrangeas

Hydrangea is a favorite to many gardeners. Over the past few decades, Hydrangeas have become very popular in the south, mostly because they are a easy to grow, hardy and require little maintenance.

Hyrdrangeas add a unique appearance to any landscape. Many gardeners grow Hydrangeas for their beautiful blooms that are full of individual flowers that form a spherical shape much like a large snowball. Hydrangeas bloom in blues and pinks. The color depends on the soil conditions. Blooms can last 6-8 weeks.

Hydrangeas are very easy to grow and come back every year. The key to growing beautiful Hydrangeas is to insure that you meet their growing requirements.

How to Grow Hydrangea

Sun Requirements:

When growing Hydrangeas avoid direct sunlight. They grow best in partial shade or diffused light. Full shade can result in less blooms, while full sun can burn a Hydrangea.

Watering:

Hydrangeas should be kept moist while blooming. Partly dry to moist is the optimal range during non- flowering seasons. Allowing a Hydrangea to dry out completely before watering can cause leaf drop, bud drop, decreased blooms, and damage to sensitive roots.

Fertilizer:

When growing Hydrangeas, their fertilizer requirements are a little different than most plants. Hydrangeas should not be fertilized while blooming. Withholding fertilizer during blooming time promotes healthier, longer lasting blooms. After flowering, fertilize with an acid fertilizer at half recommended strength. Be sure to leach regularly to reduce salt build up. If not leached, the accumulation of soluble salts can injure their fibrous roots.

How to Get the Desired Bloom Color:

Hydrangeas bloom in shades of pinks and blues. Their color depends on the soil conditions. As noted in the above, Hydrangeas prefer an acidic soil. When fertilizing, keep in mind the color of Hydrangea you prefer. For pink blooms maintain a soil pH at or near 6.5 For blue or purplish colored blooms maintain a pH at or near 5.0.

To adjust the soil pH for your Hydrangea add aluminum sulfate or iron sulfate to lower the pH and add lime to reduce soil acidity for a high pH level.

Pruning:

Pruning Hydrangeas is quite easy. During dormant months prune Hydrangea to shape into desired bush. No heavy pruning is needed.

Insects and Pests:

Hydrangeas are, for the most part, low maintenance. This includes pests. However, scale insects can be an occasional problem. When scales are found on Hydrangeas simply spray with an insecticide that will rid the plant of scale insects.

Propagation:Hydrangeas are fairly easy to propagate. They can be propagated by stem cuttings during active growing seasons. Root cuttings in a greenhouse or cover with a plastic bag to maintain a higher humidity for a greater success rate. Keep cuttings in a shaded area to prevent them from drying, scorching or dropping leaves. When roots are large enough, transplant in to a larger pot and maintain. Protect from frost during the first winter. They may be planted in the ground when all danger of frost has passed.

Other Common Names:Snowball Plant