Ideal Growing Conditions for Hydrangeas You Need to Know

What conditions do Hydrangeas need for ideal growing? If you come to this page to get that information, you are lucky to have come to this page. Here we are going to talk about that. Ensure you read this article until the end.

Overview

Hydrangeas are reliable flowering shrubs. They suit gardens of all sizes. Usually, Hydrangeas will flower for much longer than most other plants. Often the blooms remain attractive, even after they have faded, adding interest to the park or garden, even in winter. Also, they make excellent flowers for cutting. They are easy to grow, both in pots and in the open ground. All they need is the right conditions, plenty of water in dry weather and occasional feeding with the right fertilizer.

Hydrangeas – Ideal Growing Conditions

Most Hydrangeas are going to grow in an open sunny situation. However they prefer light shade. They grow in most soils and thrive in heavy clay soils. It means that they are ideal for most new-build gardens and compacted wet soils. As the name suggests, they are really like plenty of water, thus adding organic compost or organic manure regularly will help to hold on to moisture. Mulching the ground around the Hydrangeas plants with compost or bark early in the season when the soil is moist also can help to retain moisture. You are able to do this after their annual application of Vitax Hydrangea Feed.

When you undertake landscaping with Hydrangeas plants, quickly you are going to learn that these blooming beauties may prove a little tricky to site. For this case, you are able to give French hydrangea too much sun, and you are going to be challenged to keep it supplied with sufficient water. On the other hand, you are able to put most Hydrangeas into too much shade, and you will not get many flowers, unless you plant the one Hydrangea for shade like climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea petiolaris anomala). This woody vine thrives in part to full shade and frequently is trained to climb tall trees and shady building walls. While Oakleaf hydrangea withstands sun or shade, however in warmest regions, plants last longest when they receive afternoon shade.

For a full sun Hydrangea, you are able to plant panicle Hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata). This is one of the more tolerant Hydrangeas that putting up with heat, cold, drought and full sun. Actually, Panicle Hydrangeas need at least 5 hours of full sun to flower their strongest. You have to ensure that you give the plants sufficient moisture. Some popular varieties of panicle hydrangea include PeeGee (which grows to 20 feet and it is the most tree-like hydrangea), Limelight, and Bobo (which is covered with white flowers that turn pink in fall).

Generally, for most Hydrangeas, except the panicle types, you have to plan to give Hydrangeas both sun and shade. Morning sun with afternoon shade will work beautifully in the South and warmer regions. In those zones, afternoon sun sizzles, Hydrangeas can be fry easily. But, in more northerly gardens, you are able to give Hydrangeas full sun. They are going to thrive and bloom. We are able to say that in Atlanta, Dallas or Birmingham, please avoid giving Hydrangeas full sun, but instead aim for morning sun with afternoon shade. While for some places like Philadelphia, Portland or Chicago, just give Hydrangeas more shade and you are going to wind up with some flowers. Instead, place the Hydrangeas in full sun in these cooler areas.

Planting Hydrangeas 

Pot grown Hydrangeas are able to be planted at any time of year, in the open ground or in pots and containers by using Vitax John Innes compost. You are able to select nice big pots which will allow the plants to grow happily for some years. Usually, small containers dry out too quickly. Once planting in the open ground, you have to prepare the soil well. Also, you have to add plenty of garden compost or organic manure to increase the soil structure. Need to know that some handfuls of 6X Natural Fibrous Fertiliser forked well into the soil is ideal to improve the humus content of the ground that helps with water and nutrient retention in future years. Do not forget to add a handful or Vitax Hydrangea Feed to the soil, or compost if growing in a pot, when you planting. This will provide all the important nutrients for healthy growth and beautiful blooms.

Keeping the blue Hydrangeas blue

The mophead and lace cap hydrangeas are the best known and they offer the widest color range. Frequently, their flowers change color during the season and the color of some varieties is affected by the soil. Several flowers are pink in alkaline conditions and blue on neutral to acid soil. To keep the blue color, you have to use Vitax Hydrangea Colourant, which is added to the soil when planting or to the growing medium in a pot. Also, it can be diluted in water and watered on to established plants. This will maintain the colour, but you have to be patient. It does not always work instantly.

Pruning Hydrangeas

Do not worry, Pruning is easy.

• Macrophylla hydrangeas

You are able to leave the flower heads on the plants over winter. Then, you have to cut back each stem to the first pair of fat buds behind the flower in spring. Several of the older stems are able to be cut back right to the ground in winter in the case of old, established plants.

Read also : Annabelle hydrangea care and maintenance properly.

• Paniculata hydrangeas

You are able to prune hard in late winter. Please cut back by half to two-thirds. Also, retain a strong branch framework at the base of the plant. This will produce vigorous shoots with flowers at the tips.

• Arborescens hydrangeas

You have to cut back all stems to 15cm (6ins) in late winter. Probably, this will look drastic but it makes sure strong shoots which should stay upright.