Hydrangea Macrophylla - Learn How to Care for Hydrangeas
Hydrangea is a common sight in gardens. No wonder these bushes are among the most popular - they look impressive and are a beautiful yard decoration. Hortensia has many varieties, so you can perfectly match this plant with any garden. The biggest advantage of hydrangea plants is their long blooming season, so they greatly improve the looks of the garden. Check what a hydrangea looks like, how to care for it and what you should know about it.
Hydrangeas — what kind of plants are they?
Hydrangea macrophylla, also known as hortensia or French hydrangea is a very characteristic garden shrub of many colors. Usually, it’s white, pink, blue, red, or purple. Hydrangeas are valued for the fact that the blooming colors can be changed. Everything depends on the type of soil they grow in — you can affect the pH level. This way, the flowers are different every year.
What does a hydrangea look like?
Flowers are the characteristic elements of a hydrangea bush. They form large and round clusters. Depending on the variety, the shrubs are demanding, especially after they stop blooming. One has to take care of flower buds, as they appear a year before fully developing. A hydrangea bush may reach from 1 meter to even two meters. Everything depends on which type of hortensia you pick.
The most popular hydrangea types
Traditional hydrangea bushes can be grouped by the build of their flowers. The variety with lush flower clusters looking like balls are called mophead. The name obviously derives from the fact that they look like a shaggy head.
Lacecap hydrangea is another popular type of these plants. As some claim, the flowers look just like lace caps worn by ladies in the past. It’s quite a demanding variety. The flowers consist of tiny flowers and large colorful flowers growing on the edges. This type is particularly vulnerable to low temperatures. If you don’t take a good care of them, flowers might not appear.
Here are some other popular hydrangea types:
- Bouquet Rose, which grows up to 1.5 meters, they form spherical flower clusters,
- Hamburg, growing up to 1 meter, forming “quilted” sepals,
- Masja, reaching up to 1 meter, with large spherical flowers.
When to plant hydrangea bushes to enjoy magnificent flowers?
Planting a hydrangea bush is quite an easy task — just make sure you do it between early spring and late autumn. Pay attention to the seedling you buy. If you purchase it in February or December, and you notice flowers on the branches, the plant was probably grown in a greenhouse. In practice, it means it might not survive in a garden.
What side of the house do you plant hydrangeas?
Hydrangea is a garden shrub that needs a spot in partial shade. Make sure that the location is shielded from wind. It’s not a typical shade-loving plant. The perfect spot for a hydrangea bush receives sunlight in the morning and in late afternoon. Protection from wind is particularly important. Don’t forget the shrub is quite tall, and strong wind might break it.
Caring for hydrangeas — choose perfect soil
Hydrangea bushes prefer soil of a particular pH level. Remember that when you change pH, you can affect the color of flowers. If you want a blue hydrangea, make sure the soil’s pH level remains at 4.5 to 5.1. If you change the pH, you can get a pink hydrangea. To achieve this color, the soil should have 6 to 7.4 pH.
To get the right soil, you can get a soil mix in a gardening store, or prepare it yourself. This task is rather for experienced gardeners who know how to get a particular pH level in soil.
Hydrangea — when to prune to get beautiful flowers?
Regular and proper trimming is a key aspect of hydrangea care. Pruning involves only dry flowers that grew in August, and they should be trimmed right after they finish blossoming. Never cut hydrangea stems, as it might hinder blooming in the next season.
📍 When do hydrangeas bloom?
Hydrangea macrophylla is one of the most popular shrubs. It blooms from the beginning of June until the end of August. The flowers remain for longer though. Hydrangeas amaze with their flowers during the whole fall.
📍 Why doesn't my hydrangea bloom?
Hydrangeas need special treatment, and if you don't care for it properly, they might not bloom at all. Remember that hortensia develops buds a year before blooming. It means that if they freeze over winter, flowers won't appear in summer.
📍 What is the best soil for a hydrangea?
Remember that not every soil is perfect for a hydrangea. It's easy to care for the plant, as long as you stick to a few simple rules. The right type of soil is the most important factor. Make sure it has 5.6-6.0 pH, meaning it's acidic. This is the best type of soil for hydrangea bushes.
📍 How fast do hydrangeas grow?
Hydrangeas are fast-growing shrubs. They reach a significant height in a relatively short time. Two and three-year old seedlings might grow at a rate of 1 meter per year.
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