Known for their love of acidic soils, and their stunning, large flowerheads, hydrangeas grace the flowerbeds of many homeowners. Gorgeous blooms adorn the plants from mid-summer to fall, adding color to a yard well past the blooming times of many other flowers. They are easy to grow and will tolerate a wide range of conditions, adding to their popularity. Another great benefit is the plants are resistant to most pests and diseases.
Even with their hardiness, hydrangeas will benefit if you follow these 6 specific tips.
1. Plant in well-drained soil
Hydrangeas prefer rich soil, that drains easily. When planting new plants, or transplanting existing shrubs to a new location it’s recommended to mix a healthy dose of compost into the soil to help create a nutrient-rich, friable root zone.
2. Give them some shade
Most types of hydrangeas can be grown in full sun locations, but plants prefer a spot that receives some shade, especially during the hottest part of the day when the sun is intense.
3. Water well
Water plants really well, at least once a week. More often if you live in a hot, dry climate or an area where the wind dries the soil out more quickly.
4. Prune appropriately
Plants will benefit immensely from removing dead branches — make sure to take all the way down to the base if possible — and deadheading as blooms are spent. If your plant is becoming overgrown check to see if the variety you have blooms on old or new wood, as this affects how you prune. Gardeners’ World.com has a great video that talks about the different ways to prune the different types of hydrangeas.
5. Fertilize lightly
A common problem with growing hydrangeas is over fertilizing. Too much nitrogen will encourage the vegetative growth of the foliage, instead of directing plant resources to flowering and the plant won’t bloom. Fertilize lightly in the spring to give plants a boost early in the season and then leave them be until they are in full bloom. At that point apply another light dose of fertilizer to get them through the remainder of the growing season.
6. Protect in the winter
In areas where it snaps cold in the winter, it’s best to plant hydrangeas in areas that are protected from the wind or create a burlap screen to block the wind. This will help prevent winter dieback.