The most commonly known hydrangea is called the HydrangeaMacrophylla, and its the kind you’re probably most familiar with. It produces round clusters of fluffy flower petals that begin to bloom mid-Summer. its stems can grow to about 6 to 10 feet tall, making them quite the sight to see.

Tips For Growing Hydrangeas

Planting Hydrangeas

There are two ideal times to plant your hydrangeas: Spring and Fall. It’s very important that you plant your hydrangeas in an area that gets shade during the afternoon, as this flower is not a full-sun plant that can tolerate intense heat for more than a few hours a day. They also don’t appreciate heavy winds because their stems are susceptible to breaking, so try to plant your hydrangea near other plants or trees that can offer some protection. TIP: Try planting your flowers on the eastern side your house if they need shade during the afternoon; shadows can provide the protection your plants need from the crippling heat.

How to Change Bloom Color

Love your hydrangea blooms but want to change up their color? Many hydrangeas will go through a slight color change when transplanted due to the adjustment to their new soil when you first bring them home. But if you really want to shake things up, this simple little soil hack will make your Hydrangea change color!

Watering Hydrangeas

Since hydrangeas bloom in the Summer, you’ll want to water deeply once a week so that the roots retain plenty of moisture. Hydrangeas need moist soil in order to thrive, so it’s not a plant that can tolerate drought conditions. Water is their best friend! However, you’ll also need to make sure to provide good drainage, because too much water in the soil can encourage mold growth that can rot the roots. This is something you definitely want to avoid, especially since it’s an easy thing to prevent. If your area is experiencing a heat wave, you’ll want to make sure to water in between your weekly waterings if you see that the heat is leaving your soil dehydrated.

Soil

This beautiful flower needs a little TLC when it comes to soil. It needs moist, well-drained soil and also benefits from organic fertilizer that can provide it with nutrients throughout the Summer.

Pruning hydrangea bushes

Pruning plays a great role on how to care for hydrangea bushes. It is said that the more you prune hydrangeas, the more it blooms. Remember that pruning should be avoided during late summer since flower buds usually develop during this season. Some varieties of hydrangea like the Penny Mac Hydrangea and the Oakleaf Hydrangea bloom on both old and new wood and do not need pruning. However, there are varieties that really need more pruning to avoid overgrowth and to encourage the growth of new wood where blossoms prefer to bloom. These varieties include Smooth Hydrangea and Peegee or Panicle Hydrangea.

Winter Protection

Harsh Winter weather can damage the integrity of your hydrangea plant. You can remedy this by adding burlap to the soil around your stems, as well as filling the area with dried leaves so that snow or frost has a harder time of reaching your stems and roots. You’ll want to preserve your buds as much as you can if you live in an area with very low temperatures in the Winter.