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- How to grow hydrangeas
How to grow hydrangeas
Hydrangea macrophylla and their cultivars are happiest when given a cool moist root run and a sheltered aspect: this is why they do so well at the base of a wall. In the open border, they are best with a light tree cover and the shelter of other shrubs but they will tolerate a more open aspect if there is plenty of humidity. It is essential to avoid exposure to northern or eastern winds, as well as extremes of frost because both will damage young flower buds. It is also best to avoid a position that bears the brunt of hot midday or afternoon sun especially if growing the white flowered cultivars. Little pruning is necessary other than removing the old flower heads in late spring or early summer. Cut these back to just above the uppermost pair of new buds: it is these that produce the new season’s flowers. Overcrowded stems can be thinned out at the same time.
Hydrangea serrata and their cultivars perform better in colder, drier gardens than H. macrophylla, but otherwise the same cultural and pruning requirements apply.
Blue or Pink? It is widely known that the flower colour of the various blue and pink forms of H. macrophylla and H. serrata can vary. This is in response to the pH and mineral content of the soil, but light levels, the time of year and even the type of fertilizer that is being applied are all important factors. Most gardeners happily accept that these colour variations are inevitable and contribute to the plant’s magic and charm.
Some gardeners however may have a precise colour in mind. If good blue flowers are required, choose a variety that performs well as a blue. To maintain this colour an acid soil or compost is essential and the presence of aluminium is required. Iron must also be present to make the aluminium available to the plant. If these do not occur naturally in your soil, give your plant an annual application of hydrangea colourant powder (aluminium sulphate) as well as sequestered iron. Fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 25/5/30 is recommended, so bone meal should be avoided.
If your preference is for pink or red flowers, choose a variety that performs well as a pink or red and to maintain this colour you must provide a neutral or slightly alkaline soil or compost. You may still need some sequestered iron to prevent chlorosis, a yellowing of the leaves due to the lime in the soil locking up the available iron. Fertiliser with an NPK ratio of 25/10/10 is recommended.
If you have a specific colour in mind, it’s important to choose the correct variety as many varieties perform best when grown as a particular colour e.g. ‘Blaumeise’ performs best when grown as a blue on acid soils and ‘Brugg’ is best grown as a pink on alkaline soils. Please refer to individual descriptions for further guidance.
Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris is a self-clinging climber that is shy to flower in its early years, but spectacular when mature. It is very hardy, shade-tolerant and is a useful subject for a north wall, strong trellis or an established tree on a moist but well-drained soil.
Hydrangea arborescens and its cultivars produce their enormous rounded blooms on new season’s growth making them ideal for cold areas. They enjoy light shade, will tolerate a degree of drought and should be hard pruned in spring to achieve maximum sized blooms. Give them plenty of space to reach their full potential on a moist but well-drained soil.
Hydrangea aspera and its cultivars are handsome architectural plants requiring plenty of space. They will tolerate drier conditions, chalky soils and prefer some light tree cover. They require no pruning.
Hydrangea paniculata and its cultivars are woody hydrangeas blooming on the new season’s growth making them suitable for cold areas where other hydrangeas might not thrive. They will grow happily in full sun on a moist but well-drained soil, avoiding windy sites. Hard prune them in spring to achieve maximum sized blooms.
Hydrangea quercifolia and its cultivars are very frost hardy but need a sunny sheltered position to perform well on a moist but well-drained soil. Their habit is fairly lax so they may need a little support when young but no pruning is required.
Hydrangea seemanii is a climbing hydrangea, self-clinging and vigorous which is shy to flower in its early years, but spectacular when mature. It is very hardy, shade-tolerant and a useful subject for a north wall, strong trellis or an established tree.
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