Everyone is looking for original ways to add color to their yards or gardens at this time of year. Beautiful hydrangeas are an easy solution that Tallahassee Nurseries provides for you. Hydrangeas are low-maintenance shrubs that can bring texture, vibrant color, and a touch of formality to any environment.
VARIETY There are many vibrant colors and bloom shapes available in hydrangeas. Hydrangeas in shades of pink, blue, white, lime green, and purple draw attention from onlookers. Furthermore, the mind-blowing cone-shaped (Limelight) or “mop head” (Bloomstruck) flower structures are guaranteed to bring distinctive flair to an otherwise unremarkable scene. Limelight hydrangeas are modest at 6 feet tall and broad and have tasteful green foliage. The Endless Summer series’ Twist-n-Shout and Bloomstruck hydrangeas are between three and five feet tall and broad. In the end, Tallahassee Nurseries is certain to have one or more hydrangea varieties in store that will delight your senses, regardless of the color or bloom style you choose.
THE HYDRANGEA CARE Thankfully, these plants are low maintenance and winter resistant in our region. Most hydrangeas in north Florida prefer morning light with afternoon shade as well as rich, well-drained soil. Espoma’s Hollytone fertilizer should be applied 2-3 times year to Limelight hydrangeas and reblooming hydrangea cultivars for the greatest results. Additionally, it’s critical to remember that hydrangeas require regular watering, particularly during the first year following planting, when their roots are establishing. Additionally, covering the soil with mulch, pine bark, pine nuggets, or pine straw can assist cool plant roots and improve watering effectiveness.
The pH of the soil has little bearing on the sun-loving, hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’. The flowers are a vivid lime green color that open to a white color in the summer and turn pink or crimson in the cooler months. However, the soil affects the color of many other hydrangeas’ flowers.
conditions. In contrast to basic or alkaline soils, which generate pink blooms, acidic soils will result in blue to purple blooms. In order to get the desired outcome, lime should be added to the soil if you have blue flowers but want pink ones. On the other hand, if you have pink flowers and want them to seem blue rather than pink, adding sulfur or aluminum sulfate to the soil will help with the conversion. But you’ll need to be patient because it could take up to one or two blooming cycles before you notice all of your hydrangeas’ color and intensity changes.
The choice to include easy-to-grow shrubs that will be attractive and enjoyable for many years is a straightforward one. Tallahassee Nurseries’ staff is eager to share more specific information with you about the beautiful selection of hydrangeas we offer. We’re excited to help you when you come back next!
Are hydrangeas able to thrive in Florida?
What is your favorite plant? is usually one of the first inquiries after people learn what I do for a livelihood. That question can be challenging to answer because I’m a bit of a plant nerd! But I always come back to the same response: “Hydrangea. My fellow gardeners and I appreciate hydrangeas for a variety of factors. A hydrangea in full, billowy bloom is without a doubt one of the few plants that inspire more happy memories of summers past or lead to more impulsive purchases at nurseries. Few specimen bushes offer more floral punch while necessitating less maintenance from the grower. My own passion for hydrangeas began with my first attempt at propagation, when a softwood cutting of Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Nikko Blue’—taken with the assistance of someone much more experienced than I—seemed to magically sprout roots in a makeshift greenhouse made of a cypress box with a rusty, crusty sliding glass door. The hydrangeas got me. Despite having all of these positive qualities to its name, the genus Hydrangea is nevertheless neglected and underestimated in contemporary settings. Let’s discuss some of the best Hydrangea species and cultivars to search for at the nursery as well as the two main reasons why gardeners struggle and become frustrated with hydrangeas in the landscape.
First off, hydrangeas are known for using a lot of water. Hydrangeas are sensitive to water, as their name might imply (the Greek word for water is “hydor”). They merely show signs of drought more quickly than most other plants, which does not necessarily suggest that they need more or less water than other plants. This characteristic makes hydrangea an especially valuable indicator plant in the landscape. In general, hydrangeas wilt in the afternoon heat; this is completely normal. This is especially true for those that were planted in too much sun. However, the gardener will know that irrigation is necessary if the plants are still wilting the next morning. The plants could start to deteriorate if you don’t provide watering quickly after they inform you they need it. Consider this feature as an early warning system rather than a downside. What other plant shows such concern for us gardeners?
The second most common cause of hydrandea failure is poor site selection. In Florida, growing hydrangeas in full sun produces less than stellar results. All hydrangea species thrive best when planted in areas that receive at least some afternoon shade, if not filtered shade all day long. The negative effects of afternoon sun exposure include increased wilting due to heat stress, higher irrigation needs, and “bleached flower colour.” Never forget that growing the proper plant in the incorrect location is less frustrating than other situations!
Now that you’ve learned how to grow hydrangeas successfully, it’s time to choose the right plant for your yard! For the gardener’s consideration in Northwest Florida, three main species—H. macrophylla (Bigleaf Hydrangea), H. quercifolia (Oakleaf Hydrangea), and H. paniculata—perform notably better here than the rest of their relatives (Panicle Hydrangea).
When in bloom, H. macrophylla, the traditional hydrangea that everyone’s grandmother cultivated, stands out as one of the most distinctive plants in the shaded Southern landscape. H. macrophylla is an incredibly low maintenance plant, requiring only occasional irrigation and seldom fertilizer; H. macrophylla even tolerates salt spray and may be grown on the Gulf Coast! It has enormous “mopheads of inflorescences in stunning colours of blue (or pink, depending on soil pH). The majority of inquiries I get about H. macrophylla concern plants that aren’t flowering because they were pruned at the wrong time of year. Pruning once-blooming traditional cultivars like “Nikko Blue” as soon as flowering is ended in the late summer will produce the finest flowering returns. The wood from the previous season is where these plants establish their flower buds; pruning older varieties in the fall or winter may invigorate the plant, but it will stop it from blooming the next year. Fortunately, improvements in hydrangea breeding over the past 20 years have offered gardeners the option of planting remontant cultivars that bloom on wood from the current season. Remontant cultivars like “Endless Summer,” “Penny Mac,” “Bloomstruck,” and “All Season Beauty,” which are frequently sold, offer a similar early summer flower display to the traditional varieties but continue to bloom intermittently for the remainder of the summer. Even better, they can be cut back at any time without affecting the bloom display for the following season!
The natural Oakleaf Hydrangea is the next option for those seeking to diversify their hydrangea collection (H. quercifolia). Native to Florida, the oakleaf hydrangea grows untamed around the northern end of the Apalachicola River in steep, shaded ravines. The Oakleaf would be worthwhile to plant even if it never bloomed since it has enormous, oak-shaped leaves that may grow up to a foot long and give Floridians some of the best fall foliage color. The flowers, like with all hydrangea species, are the major attraction. This species has 8–10 white flowers in panicles that are carried gracefully above the rough-textured leaves. In addition to these qualities, Oakleaf Hydrangeas are quite simple to cultivate, reaching heights of up to 10′ and requiring only proper irrigation and some shade during the heat of the day from the gardener. Look for the cultivars “Alice,” “Semmes Beauty,” and “Snowflake,” which are the author’s favorites. These H. quercifolia cultivars and selections all do exceptionally well in Northwest Florida.
Last but not least, H. paniculata, the newest hydrangea species introduced to Florida gardens, has made tremendous strides in the landscape business during the past ten years. H. paniculata, which is primarily grown as the cultivar “Limelight,” solves some of the shortcomings of the two aforementioned species because it can withstand full sun and requires considerably less water, perhaps making it a more sustainable plant for many situations. Similar to the remontant H. macrophylla varieties, this plant blooms on new wood and even seems to relish a harsh pruning each winter; plants that have undergone this pruning appear to be more vigorous the following season and produce larger greenish-white flower panicles than those that have not. H. paniculata, in particular “Limelight,” is a valuable addition to any landscape, despite the fact that it is a relative newcomer.
You can see that there is a hydrangea for every yard, and no authentically Southern landscape is complete without a few of them. This summer, when browsing your neighborhood garden center, check for the options and species described above, plant them correctly, and then take pleasure in the succeeding yearly flower display for many years to come! Who knows, you might develop a love for hydrangeas as I did!
How are hydrangeas maintained in Florida?
The hydrangea is a perennial blooming shrub that is cultivated for its enormous, pastel-colored blossoms. The sandy soil in Orlando provides a difficulty for hydrangea gardeners. The University of Florida’s agronomists advise Orlando gardeners to grow Hydrangea macrophylla, also known as Bigleaf, French, or Florist’s hydrangea. One of the options is the Endless Summer variety. Hydrangeas bloom in Orlando in the late spring and early summer.
Give your hydrangea the right quantity of sunshine. Plant the hydrangea where it will receive afternoon shade because morning sun is OK but it will need protection from the intense heat of the sun.
- The hydrangea is a perennial blooming shrub that is cultivated for its enormous, pastel-colored blossoms.
- Plant the hydrangea where it will receive afternoon shade because morning sun is OK but it will need protection from the intense heat of the sun.
Make certain the hydrangea is planted in well-drained soil. Hydrangea thrives in water, but if the roots are always wet, they will suffer.
During the hottest portion of the summer, keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. At other times, let the soil dry to within 1 inch of the surface. Due to the sandy soil in the area, gardeners in Orlando will need to water their plants significantly more regularly.
At the hydrangea’s base, spread a 3-inch layer of mulch, being careful not to let it touch the bark. Spread it out as wide as the plant and keep it at least 2 inches away from the trunk. As a result, weeds will have a harder time growing and the soil will stay cooler in the summer.
- Make certain the hydrangea is planted in well-drained soil.
- At the hydrangea’s base, spread a 3-inch layer of mulch, being careful not to let it touch the bark.
During the summer, treat your hydrangea twice with a balanced fertilizer like 10-10-10. Apply the product at the rate recommended on the package. After August, avoid fertilizing your hydrangea. Feed your hydrangea every two weeks from March to November if you are growing it in a container. From December to February, reduce feedings to once a month.
If you desire larger blossoms, prune your Hydrangea arborescens (like Annabelle) back to 1 foot tall in late winter. Prune it to 2 feet or more if you don’t care about size and want additional blossoms. Early June is the best time to prune oakleaf hydrangeas. Nikko Blue and other Hydrangea macrophylla need to be clipped when plants start to sprout leaves in the spring. Just above the blossom, trim the stems. Anytime is a good moment to prune Endless Summer.
- During the summer, treat your hydrangea twice with a balanced fertilizer like 10-10-10.
- If you desire larger blossoms, prune your Hydrangea arborescens (like Annabelle) back to 1 foot tall in late winter.
When the first frost hits new hydrangea plants, cover them. Plants that are more established are better equipped to withstand cold temperatures. Cover even the mature hydrangea bush if the weather should suddenly turn cold or hot.
In Florida, are hydrangeas hardy?
“Can I grow hydrangeas in zone 9b where I reside in Central Florida? They were a staple in Maryland, where I used to live. Uncertain about the sandy soil in this area. Eileen from Longwood, Florida has a question.
However, there are some incredibly lovely hydrangeas that will thrive in the deep South. Many hydrangeas need cold winters to survive. These are variants of the bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla). (To view a variety of wonderful bigleaf hydrangeas from Proven Winners, click on this link.) Remember that you are directly near the southernmost limit of their heat tolerance. They can live in USDA Hardiness Zones 5 to 9, therefore you need take particularly excellent care of them at planting time and shield them from the sweltering sun.
Plant your hydrangeas on the north side of your house in a somewhat shady area, and add a lot of organic matter to the soil to shield them from the intense heat of the day. Using Black Gold Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss and Black Gold Garden Compost Blend will significantly increase the amount of organic matter that holds water. To stop surface evaporation, add a 2- to 3-inch layer of fine bark mulch or pine straw after that. Be sure to water your bushes as necessary if there are any dry spells. Additionally, feeding them with a high-quality fertilizer designed for flowering shrubs is beneficial.
Culture
Mountain and bigleaf hydrangeas need cool winters, moist (but not soggy) soils, and shade (either continuous shade or morning sun and afternoon shade). Although proper site selection and plant care become more crucial the further south it is planted, bigleaf and mountain hydrangeas are adaptable to north and central Florida under these environmental conditions. Bigleaf and mountain hydrangeas may withstand modest levels of salt and dryness after becoming well-established.
Description and Growth Habit
Mountain and bigleaf hydrangeas develop as a mounded or rounded shrub with strong, erect stems that are typically unbranched. Large, leathery leaves are frequently 2 to 5 inches wide and 4 to 8 inches long. Depending on the cultivar, the color of the leaf can range from dull to glossy and from medium to dark green.
In the majority of Florida, bigleaf and mountain hydrangeas are deciduous, losing their leaves in the fall when the days get shorter, especially following cool weather. However, in locations without frost as well as in moderate autumns and winters, hydrangeas could not shed all of their leaves. In these situations, the final leaves frequently drop as soon as springtime growth begins.
In all of Florida, bigleaf and mountain hydrangeas are fully hardy, and the plants seldom ever wither. As a result, bigleaf and mountain hydrangeas typically mature at a height and width of 6 feet, although they can grow up to 12 feet tall and wide. It’s important to give bigleaf and mountain hydrangeas adequate room to grow when you plant them in your garden. Use a cultivar that is known to mature at a reduced size as an alternative, or arrange for periodic pruning to condense the size of the plant.
Pruning
Unless dieback develops or plants outgrow their ideal size, the majority of plants will require little to no pruning. In the middle to end of the summer, prune plants as necessary, taking out no more than a third to a half of each main stem. In order to allow for current year’s blossoming as well as enough time for some regrowth and for flower buds to form on the new growth, pruning should be done in the middle to late summer.
Use in the Garden
Because of their capacity to bloom in shadow and the color of their blue blossoms, bigleaf and mountain hydrangeas are prized as garden plants. Most gardens eventually grow portions that are shaded by trees, house walls, or other buildings. Plants can only be grown in certain places with some shade. Only a few other plants can produce as many vibrant flowers in the shade as bigleaf and mountain hydrangeas can. On the majority of Florida soils, bigleaf and mountain hydrangeas also produce extremely infrequent but highly prized blue flowers.
Bigleaf and mountain hydrangeas have coarse-textured appearances due to their large leaves and flower clusters. Bigleaf and mountain hydrangeas can be a lovely addition to a mixed-shrub bed or border when grown in conditions that include shade and wet soil. Their coarse-textured leaves work well as a contrast to finer-textured plants, and their flower clusters can add bursts of color. A diverse bed will also “conceal” or at least lessen the visibility of the stems in winter. When used in large massed beds, bigleaf and mountain hydrangeas will produce spectacular swaths of color during their peak flowering period in early summer. Bigleaf and mountain hydrangeas that reflower are particularly helpful because they produce a magnificent display of blooms in the early summer and then only occasionally bloom the rest of the year.
On the other hand, bigleaf and mountain hydrangeas shed their leaves in the winter, exposing the framework behind them, so most people might not choose to use them in a foundation planting. Similar to the previous point, they might not make for a good specimen plant because of how open their leafless, unbranched stem structure looks in the winter. In addition, the erect, leafless stems produce a more vertical effect than the fully leafed plant’s mounded appearance.
Use in Containers
Long-used small flowering pot plants that are discarded after blossoming are bigleaf and mountain hydrangeas. Numerous cultivars have been created specifically for this purpose. Bigleaf and mountain hydrangeas cultivated in containers are still popular flowering plants for celebrations like Mother’s Day and Easter. Some plants will grow and bloom in the garden just as those that were bought for that purpose. However, a lot of these cultivars aren’t suitable for Florida gardens and frequently have a high disease susceptibility.
When grown in a sizable container, bigleaf and mountain hydrangeas do well as long as the container is shaded and the soil is moist-retentive yet well-drained. Keep in mind that the plant won’t have leaves in the winter. Compact, smaller cultivars are more suitable for containers and are simpler to handle.