Hydrangea for a Long Flamboyant Flowering Season

The Hydrangea macrophylla, also known as Lacecap Hydrangea, Bigleaf Hydrangea, Mop-Head Hydrangea and French Hydrangea is a wonderful ornamental shrub with a long flowering season. The Hydrangea shrub also known as Hortensia is a genus of flowering plants and although it is a native of S.E. Asia and North and South America, it can also be seen growing in cottage gardens in Ireland and all across southern Europe. Although there are more than 70 species in the Hydrangea genus the most familiar and popular is Hydrangea marcophylla. Hydrangeas can be either evergreen or deciduous.

Most Popular Hydrangeas

• Hydrangea macrophylla is the most popular of all hydrangeas. Its huge mop-head blooms guarantees its place as an ornamental shrub not to be surpassed. This shrub can grow to anywhere between 1- 3 meters tall and it has pink, white, blue and sometimes purple/mauve blooms. Hydrangea ‚”Blushing Bride” is a perfect white and the delicate ‚”Blue Lacecap” is a trustworthy blue. For a spectacular red hydrangea grow Hydrangea macrophylla, ‚”Cardinal Red.”

• Hydrangea petiolaris, which is native to Japan and Korea can grow as high as 20m. This plant is ideal for growing on trellises fixed to sturdy walls and is a climbing hydrangea. It produces flowers from Spring to Fall. It likes moist soil with good drainage and thrives in sun or partial shade – if possible, afternoon shade is very beneficial for Hydrangea petiolaris. It is hardy down to U.S. zone 4 type temperatures.

Where to Grow Hydrangeas

• Hydrangeas like to be grown in humus rich soil. Add compost to the planting hole to give the plant a good start.

• Plant in full sun to partial shade. Afternoon shade is always a bonus.

• Fertilize every spring, a general fertilizer is recommended.

• Water is a must. Without water the plant will wilt very quickly but once it receives a good drenching it will bounce back but the blooms will suffer it this is allowed to happen regularly.

• Hydrangea macrophylla is hardy to zone 8 temperatures. Frost will kill the new leaf buds.

• Place hydrangeas at the back of flowers beds for a striking effect. Their long flowering season and rich ornamental foliage can act as a perfect backdrop for lower growing perennials or shrubs.

• For blue flowers grow in acid soil and for pink flowers grow in alkaline soil.

Pruning a Hydrangea

Hydrangea petiolaris does not require regular pruning – just use common sense to keep this vigorous climber in check.

Hydrangea macrophylla is best pruned in a more formal manner. Some hydrangeas bloom after pruning on the new growth while others bloom on the woodier stem grown from the previous year. Different hydrangeas have different requirements but nowadays plant labels supply ample details for success. However; Hydrangea macrophylla ‚”Endless Summer” will bloom on both new and old stems. It is the most popular hydrangea and as the name suggests it will bloom all summer.

• If the plant blooms on previous season old wood prune just as the summer wanes and as soon as the blooms begin to fade.

• If the plant blooms on new stems prune in the depths of winter or very early spring.

• If frost is a threat leave the old flower-heads in place as long as possible – prune around them and they will give warmth and added protection to the new buds.

Hydrangeas bloom from early spring right through summer giving months of vibrant color to flowerbeds and trellises. The fading flower heads even give a warm winter color as they fade from their vivacious bloom to russet browns. These winter flower-heads can be air-dried and used in indoor floral arrangements, they can even be sprayed gold for a more dramatic Christmas decoration.