Hydrangeas flowering shrubs 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 which can be determined with a soil pH test.
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 flowering shrubs 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 garden plants well watered during dry spells.
- Fresh cut hydrangea makes a wonderful bouquet for special occasions.
Hydrangea Macrophylla 'Endless Summer' - Endless Summer Hydrangea
- 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
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Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle' - Annabelle Hydrangea
- 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
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Hydrangea Macrophylla 'Nikko Blue' -
Nikko Blue Hydrangea
- The dark green foliage of this magnificent shrub is shrouded in late spring to fall with beautiful
deep blue flowers. Regarded as one of the choice blues of Hydrangea, 'Nikko Blue' is a supreme choice for any landscape or backyard
garden. Nikko Blue grows to a height of 4 - 6 feet at maturity. Grows very well in even in shaded areas. Deciduous flowering shrub.
Zones 6-9
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Hydrangea quercifolia - Oakleaf Hydrangea
- 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
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Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris - Climbing Hydrangea
- 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
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