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Imported from Japan, China and Europe in the 19th century, hydrangeas have made their appearances all over the country and continue to grow in popularity thanks to their low maintenance and extensive variety to choose from. Whether you are new to hydrangeas or just need a refresher on how to take care of these colorful and popular shrubs, here is a look at how to transplant them, what they need to grow and thrive and how and when to prune hydrangea bushes. These large flower heads with their green leaves are bound to grab the attention of any visitor leaving your garden to soon be the talk of the town.
Types
There is a wide range of hydrangeas to choose from. Varieties range in different flower shapes, bloom time, size and color. One of the most common types of hydrangeas is the mophead which shows off large clusters of blue, pink and white flowers. Smooth Hydrangeas are similar to mopheads in shape but are smaller individual flowers and come in white or green fading with age. The Panicle Hydrangea is larger and blooms cone-shaped flowers rather than the typical round flowers. These often start as white and eventually fade to pink. Oakleaf Hydrangeas are rising in popularity and thrive in the shade, making them ideal for woodland plants. If you want to incorporate hydrangeas in your garden, there is bound to be a variety that is ideal for your location.
Colors, colors and more colors. There is no shortage of colors to choose from when it comes to hydrangeas. Bigleaf hydrangeas are unique in that you can actually change its color based on the soil ph. If you want blue flowers, grow them in acidic soil that is less than 5.5. Pink and red colors come through in neutral or alkaline soil which has a pH of 5.5 or higher. But if you have white flowers you hope to make more colorful, sorry to disappoint you but that won't happen as they aren't affected by ph. Don't try this though on plants that are younger than two years old and you will need patience before you see the results as it can take weeks or even months to see the transformation. Note that it is easier to change blue flowers to pink than pink to blue.
Planting Tips
Similar to any plant you add to your garden, it is vital to know if it will thrive in your designated location. Is there enough sun or too much sun? What type of soil does it need and what do you have? When should you plant it? And the list goes on and on. Because there is such a wide variety of hydrangeas there are plenty of choices whether you need hydrangeas that need full sun in the morning and shade in the evening or ones that thrive in partial shade. Once you have bought your plant and have rich, porous and moist soil in place, dig a hole that is the same depth as the root ball and two to three times as wide. Gently place the plant, fill it halfway with soil, water it and once it is drained, fill the rest of the hole with the appropriate soil. Make sure to do this either in the Spring or Fall and space them at least three to ten feet apart as a hydrangea tree can reach from 1-20 feet high and 2-12 feet wide.
Cuttings
If the hydrangea you are planting is coming from cuttings, it is important to make sure it is cut properly. First, find a branch that hasn't flowered yet and is new growth which can be identified by the lighter color and a less rigid stem than the older growth. Once you have found the proper stem, move four to five inches down from the tip of the branch and make a clean, horizontal cut that includes at least three to four pairs of leaves. Then proceed to remove the lowest pair of leaves from the cutting down to the stem as this makes it easier for the roots to grow from these. Place the cutting in a pot that has moistened potting mix and water lightly which will get rid of any air gaps around the stem. Cover the pot than with a plastic bag making sure that none of the leaves are touching the bag as this will cause them to rot. Place in a warm area that does not receive direct harsh sunlight and continue to check every few days.
Pruning
While hydrangeas do not need too much attention, they do need to be pruned if you want to keep them healthy and bountiful. The most common Bigleaf variety is often pruned after the flowers have faded in the summer. Avoid hydrangea pruning in the winter as the flower buds have already started to form and they are more susceptible to freezing in the early fall and into the winter. Depending on the variety of the hydrangea, make sure to only cut deadwood and prune only one to two of the oldest stems, cutting all the way down to the base of the stem in order to encourage branching and fullness.
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