The Complete Guide to Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas are both beautiful and easy to grow, which is why they are so popular. They come in a wide variety of colors, from blue to purple to red to pink, and there are even some white and off-white varieties. And don’t overlook the fact that they are mostly disease and pest-resistant, meaning there is less work to do in keeping them happy and healthy.
A brief history of hydrangeas
Hydrangeas were first cultivated in Japan and came to the US via Europe in the early to mid-1700s. Although, some sources suggest early hydrangea forms date back millions of years. These likely were not the plant we now recognize as the ornamental beauty we now know. The name was coined by the botanist, Grovonius, based on the Greek words for “water pitcher.”
Why hydrangeas are so beloved
One of the most beloved characteristics of hydrangeas is that they thrive in shade and partial shade. Not only do they love a shady locale, but they will also bloom their hearts out in a shaded spot.
They are versatile and can be used in a number of ways due to their height and lovely clusters of flowers. Use them as a focal point in your yard, or add them to liven up a hedge or plantings by your house. They go well with small plants, so look for spots at the back of your flower beds for them. You can even plant them in pots to adorn your patio or along with other trees and shrubs that need a little more color.
How to select the right hydrangea for your needs
Many people fall for dazzling photos of multi-colored hydrangea blooms. However, it’s important to know that not all varieties are ideal for every zone or set of conditions. When buying your hydrangea, you will need to know a few things about it, so don’t be afraid to ask questions or do a little research.
What zone are you in?
Find out what zone you are in, then you can start looking for varieties that grow well in your zone. Keep in mind that you might be able to grow varieties that aren’t recommended for your zone, but it will take extra work, and you might not be happy with the results.
How big will your variety grow?
While you can prune and trim your hydrangea to the size you want, you might be better off getting a plant that will stop growing at or near the height you would like. It will save you work later and be easier on the plant.
What type of soil do you have?
Hydrangeas like rich, well-drained loam. If your soil has a lot of clay or a lot of sand, you will want to work some organic matter into the soil before you plant. This will help to retain more water than sandy soils will by themselves, and break up clay so that water drains more effectively and won’t damage the roots.
Planting your hydrangeas
It is best to plant or transplant your hydrangea in the spring or fall.
- Start by watering the plant well. If it is well hydrated, there will be less shock to its system when you transplant it.
- Dig a hole about as deep as the pot that it came in and about twice as wide, then place the root ball into the hole. You will want to keep the plant at the same depth as it was in the pot.
- Once in the ground, water it well, then water it daily until the roots are established in their new home.
Companion plants
While you are shopping for your hydrangeas, you might want to look for plants that will grow well with them. Consider some of the following–they have flowers and foliage that will look nice placed near your hydrangeas:
- Azalea
- Boxwood
- Campanula
- Day Lilies
- Fern
- Geranium
- Hosta
- Japanese Forest Grass
- Japanese Pittosporum
- Lamb’s ear
- Nepeta
- Ornamental Grasses
- Pansies
- Rhododendron
- Swedish Ivy
- Sweet Potato Vine
- Veronica
If you would like to pair your hydrangeas with larger plants, they will look good with:
- Dogwoods
- Evergreens
- Japanese Maples
How to water your hydrangeas
Hydrangeas like water, but they don’t like to have their feet wet. Once you plant them in well-draining soil, water them daily at first until the plant takes root (this usually takes about 2 to 3 weeks). Then water it regularly, about once every week or so. You may want to water more often in drought conditions.
Signs of a thirsty hydrangea
Your hydrangea can get thirsty during the summer, so if you notice the leaves wilting a little in the summer heat, you will want to give them a big drink. This is especially important during the hottest days of summer. Giving them a good drink in the morning can help prevent this.
You can also limit the amount of water lost from the soil by mulching around the base of the plant. This will keep more water in the soil, so your hydrangea will be able to use it during those hot afternoons that come with summer.
Pruning your hydrangeas
You won’t have to prune your hydrangea right away. Let it grow until it is the size that you would like. Pruning instructions vary based on the type:
- Prune big leaf hydrangea in the late summer after the blossoms have started to fade.
- Panicle and Pee Gee hydrangea should be pruned late in the winter or early in spring.
- Annabelle Hydrangea should be pruned after the spring bloom, or if you choose, you can cut them down to the ground during winter.
- Oakleaf and most other varieties should be pruned in the late winter before the blooms form.
How much sun do hydrangeas prefer?
Most hydrangeas like the sun, so find a suitable sunny spot with a little afternoon shade. As you research your choices, you can also look for varieties that like more sun or partial shade, which makes the hydrangea a versatile addition to your landscaping.
Varieties that prefer more sun
Even though these varieties like the sun, you might want to find a location for them where they will get a little shade in the afternoon, which will reduce their need for water during the hottest parts of the summer.
- Bobo
- Candelabra
- Candy Apple
- Cityline
- Grandiflora
- Gatsby Gal
- Incrediball
- Invincibelle Spirit
- Limelight
- Lime Rickey
- Little Lamb
- Little Lime
- Moon Dance
- Pinky Winky
- Quick Fire
- Strawberry Shake
- Sweet Summer
- Tiny Tuff Stuff
- Vanilla Strawberry
- White Wedding
- Zinfin Doll
Varieties that prefer partial shade
Need a variety that does well in partial shade? Here is a list of varieties that don’t need as much sun.
- Aspera
- Big Daddy
- Cityline Venice
- Color Fantasy
- Kuga
- Lacecap
- Lemon Daddy
- Mophead
- Plum Passion II
- Skylands Giant
- Villosa
Worried about winter maintenance?
If you live in an area that receives a full freeze, you will likely notice your hydrangea, a deciduous shrub, will die back and lose its foliage. If this happens, there’s no need to worry. Your hydrangea will come back once the weather warms.
If you think that the cold weather could damage your hydrangea, you can protect it. Just pile straw or pine needles on top of the plant. You can also cover them with burlap which will help keep the icy cold of winter away. For taller varieties, you might want to surround them with chicken wire which will help keep the insulating material in place.
How to change the color of your hydrangea?
Many people don’t know that the color of your hydrangeas is partly based on your soil’s pH. If you have a plant that is at least 2-years-old you can change the color from pink to blue by working more peat or sulfur into the top few inches of soil. If you want to go from blue to pink, raise the pH by working in a little limestone. This doesn’t work with all varieties, but it can be fun to try.
How to fertilize your hydrangeas
Your hydrangea will like to be fertilized twice, once early in the spring and once again in the fall. Most will like a balanced fertilizer like a 10-10-10.
Happy, healthy, hydrangeas
When it is all said and done, adding hydrangeas to your yard will make you the envy of the neighborhood. They will give you explosions of colorful blooms throughout the summer, especially when paired with beautiful deep green foliage that makes the colors more intense. You have a wide variety of companion plants that can provide a more luxurious color to your landscape. They are easy to plant and care for, and while they do have some pests and diseases that might attack them, they are easy to get rid of if there are problems.
So pick your hydrangeas, plant them, then ENJOY!
