Hydrangea shrubs come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and cultivars that come in an amazing array of colors. While some hydrangea varieties won’t do well in the stifling Texas heat, there are undoubtedly those that do well there.
The most common kind of hydrangea in our area is unquestionably the oakleaf variety since it can withstand the heat without becoming overheated. They don’t exactly resemble the common hydrangeas with bloom clusters in the shape of globes that frequently adorn the covers of home and garden publications. Oakleaf hydrangeas have tiny white blooms that grow in panicles that resemble cones and tumble downhill, giving them a hybrid appearance between hydrangeas and lilacs. As you may undoubtedly infer from the name, its lobed leaves resemble oak tree leaves quite a little. Before the plant goes dormant for the winter, the blossoms change as they ripen from milky white to delicate pink and occasionally take on a wine-red hue. Oakleaf hydrangeas can grow up to 7 feet tall when fully grown.
Another magnificent species of hydrangea that thrives in Texas is PeeGee. With huge, cloud-like bunches of blooms reaching heights of up to 15 feet, they are absolute attention-getters. These shrubs are excellent accent plants for the front yard because you can even train them to grow into trees. PeeGees have blooms that start out white with a delicate green tint and gradually grow more pink as they mature, much like oakleaf hydrangeas do.
The traditional variety of French hydrangeas that you frequently find in bridal bouquets. Their mophead-shaped, spherical blossoms appear in a stunning array of white, green, purple, pink, and blue hues. By experimenting with the pH and Aluminum levels in the soil with different amendments, you can even extract a Sleeping Beauty and turn them from pink to blue, or from blue to pink. Although these hydrangeas are extremely popular in more Northern parts of the US, they are obviously more difficult to maintain in Houston, but it is possible with the right care. You may create the garden of your dreams if you take extra care to ensure that the striking, icy blue blossoms receive all they require to thrive.
How are hydrangeas maintained in Texas?
It’s not difficult to grow hydrangea in Houston (South Texas), but it’s also not simple. It can be very difficult to grow a beautiful hydrangea shrub that will blossom and endure in the sun and humidity.
It gets difficult when you have to choose the right variety up front. The Oakleaf hydrangea is the kind that thrives in our climate (Hydrangea quercifolia). Although it performs better than other varieties, this lovely shrub does not resemble the hydrangeas we see in books or at flower shops. The cream-colored, cone-shaped flowers on this 8-foot-tall shrub have a rounded appearance. Throughout the season, flowers will transform to pink and even reddish brown in the autumn (note: you cannot change the color of Oakleaf hydrangea by changing acidity of the soil)
PeeGee hydrangea follows as the best performer for South Texas on our list of hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata). Again, not the hydrangea you see in magazines. Typically white-green, cone-shaped blossoms eventually turn pink with maturity. If unpruned, PeeGee hydrangea can reach a height of 15 feet, which is impressive for a shrub. PeeGee hydrangeas can often be taught to resemble trees with correct pruning.
However, the picture-perfect French hydrangea or mopheads are what the majority of us would like to grow (Hydrangea macrophylla). These hydrangeas are undoubtedly the most challenging to grow in Houston (and southeast Texas). Do you feel up to the task?
Starting with the ideal location for hydrangeas: The east side of the home (or any other structure) will receive morning sun and afternoon shade. If space on the east side is not a possibility, your other choice is the north side. Of course, if you’re like me and have trouble with orientation, pull out your compass or pour yourself a cup of tea, and spend some time watching: Find a location that receives some morning sun but is sheltered for the majority of the day.
The size of your site is the second thing to think about. Hydrangeas require space to expand. Take into account that French hydrangeas can reach heights of 7 feet and a width of 8 feet. For your hydrangea to flourish, leave at least 2 feet in each direction (from the plant’s center) when you plant it.
The hue of the hydrangea is the third factor to take into account. In Southeast Texas, pink and red colored blossoms are the easiest to grow (our clay soil is very alkaline and as such works best for pinks and reds). Once you master hydrangea cultivation, you can experiment with altering the soil’s acidity (If you want blue hydrangeas, you will need to add Aluminum sulfate to the soil, to lower your pH and make soil more acidic).
Got it all? Let’s make a large hole. The hole must be twice as wide as the pot that your hydrangea came in. The hole should be dug to a depth equal to the soil in your pot plus 4 inches. Fill the hole with compost to a depth of about 4 inches. Add the soil you dug out over your hydrangea before planting it. Mix potting soil in with your clay soil if it’s too dense (keep the ratio 3:13 part potting soil, 1 part clay). Mulch should be applied to the top 4-5 inches of the plant. We advise using cedar mulch (keeps the termites away). Water the mulch until it’s evenly wet.
Maintaining the health of your hydrangea comes last but not least. Moist soil is ideal for hydrangeas. Hydrangeas require daily watering until they are established (2-3 weeks). Just water the dirt (mulch) around the roots; don’t water the leaves or the flowers; let the rain take care of it. Early in the morning is advised for watering hydrangeas, followed by late at night. Once established, you must experiment and make a few observations. Water your hydrangea bush every other day as of now. Maintain that schedule if your leaves appear healthy (not drying out or wilting). You need to reduce the frequency of watering if your leaves begin to turn yellow to rust-colored. Mulch will quickly become your closest ally. It safeguards the roots, effectively holds water, and gives bugs a place to live.
When should your hydrangea be planted is the next concern. The best response for our area is: When the weather is nice outside. It shouldn’t be very hot, wet, or cold: between November and April (weather report should not mention any hard freeze). Only from February to May do we often sell hydrangea at Scent & Violet.
Would you like to raise the ante a bit? Place thyme, lemon balm, and chives close to your hydrangeas. These plants may thrive in the shadow and will aid in luring helpful insects. Why not utilize some of them in your cooking as well? Also think about growing some native Texas flowers that do well in shade.
Your hydrangea lived and flourished, right? You want to prune it since it has gotten too huge. Check out this video from North Coast Gardening to learn how to prune hydrangeas properly.
A full-service florist in Houston, Texas, Scent & Violet, flowers and presents offers flower, plant, and gift delivery in Houston, Katy, Richmond, Fulshear, Sugar Land, and Bellaire. We want to develop a hassle-free, regular buying source for presents, plants, and flowers. We really believe that giving gifts can lead to stronger relationships, better settings, and better mental states than receiving them.
Does Dallas, Texas, have hydrangeas?
In the Park Cities, lush hydrangeas and cottage-style specimen trees form a lovely garden.
Despite being content with her urban neighborhood, Paula Mosle yearned for a more rural location where she could establish the kind of cottage garden she had grown up around at her grandmother’s house. In a hidden location on a short street with only four houses, she discovered exactly what she was looking for. The Park Cities home, which appears to have been picked up and transferred from Nantucket, is situated on a corner property that backs up to a thickly wooded area and faces a golf course. The house faces east, which is the best part since, unlike the more typical north/south grid of neighborhood streets, Mosle thinks this is crucial to the success of her garden. The optimum exposure for gardens in Dallas, according to her, is on the east, where there is abundant morning light and shade from the sweltering afternoon sun.
Along with the house’s odd orientation, the lot’s numerous lovely specimen trees give it a forest sense without the drawbacks of big, densely packed shade trees, such exposed roots and insufficient growing light. The garden is exquisite yet approachable, much like Mosle. Her garden is well-known throughout the area for its lovely blooms, notably the hydrangeas, which thrive on the north side, and is abundant with blooming trees, shrubs, bulbs, perennials, and annuals. Despite the fact that many people in Dallas cultivate hydrangeas, few few are able to match the height and abundance of blossoms found in gardening catalogs and magazines or in Paula Mosle’s cottage garden.
Dallas’s best kept hydrangea-growing secrets Heat stress must be avoided by hydrangeas. The best exposure is to the northeast. The second-best light comes from the north or east.
They require a lot of water. For her hydrangeas, Mosle turns the sprinkler on manual. She keeps an eye on them and waters them as necessary. Drought-stressed plants exhibit a small dulling of the leaves as well as a slight drooping of the foliage. Never hold off until the flowers or leaves start to droop. When you initially feel thirsty, drink plenty of water.
Because hydrangeas are deciduous, you must accept having barren stems in the winter. If this stage concerns you, you can hide some of the dormant plant by planting a low evergreen shrub in front, such as Indian hawthorn pinkie, Clara, or a miniature pittosporum.
When it comes to pruning, experts aren’t always in agreement. With her macrophylla hydrangeas, Mosle rigorously adheres to the no-pruning school of thought. When allowed to nature, they bloom on old wood and become full and luscious.
Not all nurseries will tell you this, but only blue plants will produce blue flowers. A pink hydrangea cannot be turned blue by adding acid to the soil. Pink hydrangeas will turn lavender or purple when acid is added (and even some shades of blue). Add acid to the soil of a plant like Nikko Blue if you want a real blue. Regular acid additions preserve color. Prior to bloom season in mid-February, Mosle plants are treated with aluminum sulfate at a rate of roughly 1 to 1 1/2 cups per bush, depending on size and age. Their age is 20 (hers). Feed them once a month through June, July, and August after they have blossomed with a balanced acid fertilizer, such as NutriStar Azalea plant food.
Amazing Specimen Trees In gardening, a plant or tree that serves as a focal point, one that is rare or of particularly high quality, or even a unique variation of a common species, is referred to as a “specimen.” Furthermore, specimen plants tend to be modest and ornamental, such as flowering types or plants with delicately cut or vividly colored leaves. Paula Mosle enjoys how the light in her home and the sights outside her window change with the seasons. The tiny and medium trees that beautify, intrigue, and regulate the light in her garden are listed below.
MYRTLE CRAPE An established favorite around here with an abundance of flowers throughout the summer in reds, pinks, purples, lavenders, and whites.
DOGWOOD This spring harbinger is a classic because of its artistic branching and huge, white or pink blossoms.
HOLLY Burford hollies develop into incredibly lovely, berry-covered trees when hedge clippers aren’t used on them.
MAPLE FROM JAPAN There are various types of mosle, but many people like the Coral Bark because of its vivid red winter bark.
VITEX A classic favorite, it blooms in late spring with tall, pointed clusters of purple/blue flowers.
Can hydrangeas survive in shade in Texas?
Love hydrangeas but unsure of where to begin? Here are some suggestions, motivation, and easy-to-follow guidelines for growing hydrangeas in Texas.
Shade-loving, simple-to-grow hydrangeas make a lovely addition to any garden or house. Discover how hydrangea may flourish in Texas.
I’m not a professional gardener. Nowhere near. Simply put, I adore hydrangeas. I adore how they transform in color, how they bloom all summer long, how the blossoms resemble works of contemporary art, and how stunning they are after they dry.
I’ve been growing them for more than 15 years, and throughout that time, I’ve learned what encourages them to blossom, when to leave them alone, and when to converse with them and tell them they are lovely.
Particularly if you intend to attempt and plant them in a location where the soil isn’t suitable for them and the temperature exceeds 100 degrees. Can hydrangeas be grown in Texas?
Yes. Yes, you can, my friend. You are conversing with someone who has successfully grown them for years. just because between us? When the day is done?
Are hydrangeas able to thrive in North Texas?
Hydrangeas draw attention wherever they bloom thanks to their large, spectacular blue, white, or pink blossoms. Although hydrangeas can grow in North Texas, they need specific care and soil preparation due to the majority of the region’s soil being clay. From early summer until May, hydrangeas are in flower. The name “hydra” in Latin means “water,” and these large-leaved plants require a lot of water to survive in the summer. Your hydrangea will flower pink because to the often alkaline soils in North Texas.
Choose a location for your hydrangea planting, ideally on the north or east side of your house. The plants prefer the morning sun, but in the summer they require shade from North Texas’ intense midday sun. Check the label on the plant container to find out the projected mature size since some hydrangeas may grow over 10 feet tall. Make sure the location is well-drained and has enough room for hydrangea plants.
- Hydrangeas draw attention wherever they bloom thanks to their large, spectacular blue, white, or pink blossoms.
- Check the label on the plant container to find out the projected mature size since some hydrangeas may grow over 10 feet tall. Make sure the location is well-drained and has enough room for hydrangea plants.
Remove any plant matter, trash, and 6 to 8 inches of soil. Use a small tiller to chop up the removed soil. Add expanded shale to your North Texas soil if it has the heavy clay that is typical of the Blackland Prairie to help the soil become looser and better able to absorb calcium and magnesium.
Refill the bed with a combination made up of expanded shale, compost, and half of the removed soil.
To the depth of the plant container, excavate a hole. Place the hydrangea in the hole after carefully removing it from its container. To ensure soil contact with the root ball and to remove air pockets, pat the dirt around the hydrangea.
- Remove any plant matter, trash, and 6 to 8 inches of soil.
- To ensure soil contact with the root ball and to remove air pockets, pat the dirt around the hydrangea.
Maintain slightly damp but not drenched soil surrounding the hydrangeas. During the summer, apply balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer twice. Use insecticidal soap to treat insect problems like aphids, and fungicide to treat fungal illnesses like powdery mildew, blight, or leaf spots.
French hydrangeas should be pruned as soon as they finish blooming. Other kinds should be pruned in early spring or late fall.
Every fall, add 2 inches of mulch and 2 inches of compost to the bed to shield the plants from the sporadic freezes in North Texas.