A common concern among gardeners is that there seems to be a lack of color in the landscape during late summer. There are, however, quite a few late blooming shrubs and hydrangeas, with their wonderful flowers, are perhaps the most beautiful.
Hydrangeas do best in part shade (preferably afternoon shade) and rich organic soil. Hydrangeas also require lots of water especially young plants since they tend to dry out quickly during the hot weather. After planting be sure to mulch well, this will help the soil retain moisture. Fertilize the shrubs in the spring and then again in late summer. Adding compost to the soil around the base of the hydrangea each spring will keep the soil full of nutrients.
Lacecap Hyadrangea ((Hydrangea macrophyllla ‘Lacscap‘) and Nikko Blue Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophyllla ‘Nikko Blue‘) are among the most popular varieties. Lacecaps are recognized by their ring of flowers surrounding a center of florets and nikko blues by their large balloon-like flowers. Soil acidity can affect the flower color. Add aluminum sulfate to make the soil acid if you prefer blue flowers. Adding lime and making the soil alkaline will result in flowers with pink tones.
The large white flowers of the PeeGee Hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculta) turn to a faded pink in the fall and are great for cutting and taking indoors. Because their large flowers often weigh down its stems, PeeGee hydrangeas require staking.
Oak Leaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) is shade tolerant, grows to about 6’ and has foliage which resembles that of the American oak. Its white flowers fade to wonderful shades of pink in fall.
Climbing Hydrangea (Hydrangea petiolaris) is a vine which clings to garden structures, walls and fences with aerial roots. Its flowers are white and are similar in appearance to the lacecap hydrangea.
Planting and maintaining hydrangea is easy. When planting new hydrangeas you’ll need to add a mix of compost and peat moss to the existing soil. Dig a hole approximately twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. Place the hydrangea in the hole, making sure the top of the root ball matches the existing grade of the garden. Backfill about half way and water and let settle. Finish filling the hole, water again and mulch.
In the spring prune broken branches and dried blooms from the previous season. Don’t cut new shoots; they are where the new blooms will be. In late summer, after blooming, prune to just above the next outward facing bud. For larger flower clusters, thin plant down to half the number of stems.
Treasured for their long lasting and late blooming flowers hydrangeas are an indispensable summer shrub.
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