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Hydrangeas - Hydrangea Care

Hydrangeas are generally grown for their dazzling flowers and spectacular foliage. The hydrangea is an easy to care for shrub given the correct growing environment. The color of hydrangea flowers can be manipulated by the soil pH. If you are considering growing hydrangeas, then keep the following hydrangea care tips in mind and be sure to check out one of the newest hydrangea cultivars available, Endless Summer Hydrangea.




  • Most hydrangeas enjoy morning sunlight with peppery afternoon shade.
  • Keep your hydrangeas growing happily with a nice layer of mulch around the base of the plant.
  • Only prune your hydrangea to remove dead wood or to shape the plant after it has bloomed.
  • Aluminum sulfate may be added to the soil around your hydrangea plants to turn pink hydrangeas blue.
  • Lime may be added to the soil around your hydrangeas to turn blue hydrangea blooms pink in color.
  • Adding a balanced fertilizer late in the Winter or early in the Spring is all that is usually needed to properly feed hydrangeas.
  • Keep hydrangea plants well watered during dry spells.
  • Fresh cut hydrangea makes a wonderful bouquet for special occasions.

Hydrangea Plants

Hydrangea Macrophylla 'Endless Summer' - Endless Summer Hydrangea - Pictures
  •      Endless Summer Hydrangea is claimed the first hydrangea macrophylla that blooms on both old and new wood yielding a spectacular showing of flowers throughout the growing season. You can encourage more flowers on Endless Summer Hydrangea by pinching out spent blooms on this cultivar. Grows to a height of 3 - 4 feet. Deciduous.
    Zones 4-9
Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle' - Annabelle Hydrangea - Pictures
  •      A long time favorite, Annabelle Hydrangea is a compact growing hydrangea with large, almost fluffy white, blooms. Annabelle performs very well in colder climates. This fast growing hydrangea's blooms can be cut throughout the summer for beautiful bouquets. Prefers afternoon shade and moist soil. It is recommended to prune this hydrangea back to 2 - 3 feet each year to help it support the heavy flower stems. Deciduous.
    Zones 3-9
Hydrangea Macrophylla 'Nikko Blue' - Nikko Blue Hydrangea - Pictures
  •      The coarse green foliage of this fast-growing shrub is covered in late spring through fall with deep blue flowers. Considered one of the prime blues of Hydrangea, 'Nikko Blue' is a supreme performer in any landscape. Growing to a height of 4 - 6 feet tall. Performs well in shady areas. Deciduous.
    Zones 6-9
Hydrangea quercifolia - Oakleaf Hydrangea - Pictures
  •      Native to North America, the Oakleaf Hydrangea is a plant that deserves mention for its year-long interesting characteristics. The Oakleaf Hydrangea is so named because of its leaves which are similar to the leaves of an oak tree. The white blooms have a pyramidal shape which makes this hydrangea really stand out. The Oakleaf Hydrangea grows to a height of 6 - 8 feet tall. It is a deciduous plant, but the leaves can sometimes have a hard time letting go of the parent plant. Zones 6-9
Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris - Climbing Hydrangea - Pictures
  •      The climbing hydrangea, though not well known in this country, is one of the most well received hydrangeas when first viewed in bloom. Though it may take a few years for the Climbing Hydrangea to get established and continue growing, it is certainly well worth waiting for.  The glossy dark-green, heart-shaped leaves of this vigorous climber make for an awe-inspiring backdrop to the white, flat flower clusters that envelop this plant in the midst of summer. It does require a sturdy tree to climb and will send out "runners" around the base of the tree looking for a place to take hold.
    Zones 5-7

 

Bluegrass Gardens Garden Plants - Hydrangea Care

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