All across the Cape, hydrangeas are common. We have a lot of new types that you might not be familiar with in addition to the more well-known ones. The more compact height, extended bloom durations, and intriguing hues of the newer kinds are their major advantages. It can be difficult to decide which of the many hydrangea variants to plant, thus this article includes information on many types of hydrangeas as well as details on particular varieties.
Hydrophylla hydrangea
Mophead hydrangea, sometimes known as bigleaf hydrangea, prefers rich, medium-moisture soil in partial shade but will withstand full sun provided the soil is continually moist. Most varieties’ flower colors are influenced by soil pH. (blue to purple in highly acidic soil and lilac to pink in slightly acidic or alkaline soil). White flowers will remain white despite acidic soil in some of the cultivars listed below. To make blooms bluer or pinker, mix lime into the soil or add aluminum sulfate to the soil. Apply soil treatments well before flowering (early spring). These typically don’t require much pruning, but if you do, do it right away after flowering by clipping the flowering stems back to a pair of strong buds. In the early spring, remove weak or winter-damaged stems. The majority of kinds bloom on wood from the previous year, although a few more recent varieties bloom on both old and young wood, resulting in increased blooming even when there is winter damage.
Blue Nikko Hydrangea
One of the most well-known cultivars, this is a mainstay in the majority of Cape Gardens. A “Mophead Hydrangea with enormous spherical flower heads in Nikko Blue. This cultivar enjoys moist, well-draining soil and part shade, reaching 5 to 6 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet broad. Because the Nikko Blue blooms on wood from the previous season, it’s crucial to avoid dramatically shortening the stems in the spring. After flowering, prune if necessary, cutting back to a pair of sound buds. Early in the spring, take out any stems that are dead or weak. The pH of the soil has an impact on this cultivar as well; in acidic soil, the flowers will be blue, and in alkaline soil, they will be pinkish.
‘Bailmer’ Endless Summer Hydrangea
The original Endless Summer cultivar of hydrangea is this one. This plant blooms on both old and new growth, therefore its bloom period is from July through September. It has a height and spread of 3–4′. The pH of the soil influences the size of the huge globe-shaped flowers. More blue flowers are produced in acidic soil, while more pink flowers are produced in alkaline soil.
Summer Without End ‘BloomStruck’
All summer long, this magnificent plant produces huge, gorgeous blooms that are between 3.5 and 5 across. Making the soil more acidic or more alkaline will quickly alter the color of the blossoms, just like with the other plants in the Endless Summer collection. Stunning reddish-purple stems, dark green leaves with crimson petioles and scarlet veins, and other intriguing features of BloomStruck make it stand out in the yard. BloomStruck expands to be 4-5″ wide and 3-4′ tall. It favors moist, well-drained soil and some shade.
Twist and Shout: Endless Summer
This lacecap hydrangea’s robust red stems provide added flair, and it will bloom all summer long.
Blue Nantucket
This gorgeous blue hydrangea blooms profusely and produces flowers on both old and young wood, so it will continue to bloom throughout the summer until frost. In acidic soil, it can grow to be 4-6 feet tall and wide and has a stunning blue hue.
Series Cityline
These diminutive cultivars only reach heights and widths of 1-3. A variegated flower known as “Mars” ranges in color from a deep indigo-blue to a magenta-pink and eventually becomes green. Deep red blossoms from the plant “Paris” remain red.
Dance Series Let’s
These types will bloom on both new and old wood, similar to the Endless Summer series, providing you additional summer bloom time. ‘Rave’ has flowers that are vivid pink in alkaline soil and rich violet purple in acidic soil. With either deep rich blue or pink flowers, “Rhythmic Blue” performs better in cold climates. ‘Blue Jangles’ is a lovely compact plant that only grows to be 1-2 tall and 2-3 wide, has excellent cold tolerance, and produces enormous gorgeous blue blooms.
Mathematics Gutges
This cultivar, which is one of our favorites, has really gorgeous violet flowers that bloom in acidic soils. It will be about 4-6 wide and tall.
The future of the wedding band
This cultivar also blooms on both old and fresh wood. It is a lovely bicolor blossom in shades of light pink to pastel blue with a white scalloped edge. It will expand to be 3–4 tall and wide.
Hydrangea serrata is similar to macrophylla in appearance but has smaller flowers and leaves. It normally grows to a height and width of 2-4′, with serrated, elliptical, dull green leaves, and flattened clusters of lacecap-shaped flowers. In alkaline soil, flowers will be pink; in acidic soil, blue. Does best in partial shade and blooms on old wood.
Hydrangea with a little Tuff Stuff Lacecap
As the name suggests, this kind of hydrangea grows more slowly, only growing to a height and width of 24 inches. You will enjoy more flowers throughout the season because this hydrangea reblooms. Although the plant can be shaped after the first bloom of the season, pruning is typically not necessary.
Hard Stuff
This hardy hydrangea just grows a few inches tall and boasts stunning pink to purple blue blossoms. It also reblooms, with blossoms lasting well into the autumn.
Red Tough Stuff
These deep pink-red flowers will continue to bloom throughout the summer and into the fall despite the acidity of the soil.
Serenade by the Sea Port May
With enormous lacecap flowers that, in acidic soil, become blue, and a compact form growing to be three tall and wide.
Bluebird
Beautiful sea-blue sterile florets surround a substantial cluster of deep blue fertile flowers on this exceptional lace-cap hydrangea. On aged wood, this type blooms in the early summer. The pH of the soil affects the flowers. This plant grows 4 to 6 tall and wide, preferring partial shade.
Does Nikko blue hydrangea new wood bloom?
Nikko blue hydrangea shrubs don’t need much (if any) pruning, but if you do feel obliged to do so, the most important thing to know is that they blossom on old wood. Pruning should be done before late summer or early fall when buds are set.
Do hydrangeas bloom on fresh growth or older growth?
On the growth from the previous year, shrubs like hydrangeas flower in the middle to late summer. Mophead and lacecap hydrangeas can bloom well with minimal care, but routine pruning promotes fresh, healthy growth that can result in more impressive displays.
Do hydrangeas always develop on aged wood?
The variety that forms buds on “aged wood” is the one that is most frequently discovered in gardens. This comprises varieties of Mophead, Big Leaf, and Lacecap hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla), as well as the Oakleaf variety (H. quercifolia). On aged wood, they all create blossoms.
What should I do to make my Nikko blue hydrangea bloom?
Your garden would be the ideal place for the Nikko Blue Hydrangea. This hydrangea will undoubtedly add color to your landscape with its thick, green leaves and enormous flowers.
Your Nikko Blue Hydrangea can be planted anyplace. Planting hydrangeas as a specimen, in groups of three, or even as a hedge are all options. Up to 5 feet tall and 5 feet broad, this hydrangea will grow.
Acidic soil is ideal for this Nikko Blue Hydrangea. The color of the blossoms will be pinker if the soil is more neutral in size. For bluer blooms, add aluminum sulfate to the soil.
In places with full sun to partial shade, hydrangeas will flourish. After planting, make sure to continue watering your new hydrangea. When dry, hydrangeas are the first plant in the landscape to wilt.
The Nikko Blue Hydrangea requires little upkeep. Your hydrangea will bloom again if you prune the old blooms after each bloom. To preserve size in the winter, lightly prune.
Make sure you have the ideal site and environmental conditions for your new Nikko Blue Hydrangea plants before you plant them. Hydrangeas grow best in the spring and fall. In the summer, when temperatures are in the mid- to high-80s, avoid planting hydrangeas.
The Nikko Blue Hydrangea enjoys moist, fertile, acidic soil and needs full sun to partial shade. Hydrangeas thrive in areas with some shade in hot weather. If your soil is alkaline, be sure to amend it to keep the rich blue hue. Use compost, elemental sulfur, or fertilizers designed for plants that thrive in acidic environments to acidify your soil. As they start to decompose and naturally add acidity to the soil, mulching with pine bark or straw will aid over time. In the summer and the first year after planting, keep the soil wet but not waterlogged. Hydrangeas benefit most from a deep watering once per week in hot weather throughout their whole lifespan. Mulching hydrangeas at a depth of about 3 inches is highly advised. Mulching will reduce your plant’s requirement for watering and protect it from harsh weather. For plants that love acid, pick a fertilizer with a delayed release. For optimal results, fertilize once in the spring after the last chance of frost and once again in the early summer. Hydrangeas don’t require pruning, although after they finish blooming, pruning can assist promote bushier growth and rejuvenate an older plant.
Giving your plants the right care is the best defense against illness and pests. The keys to your success are selecting the right place, providing adequate water, and fertilizing. Using neem oil or insecticidal soap, you can naturally treat mites, scale, whiteflies, and aphids. Use pesticides like carbaryl, often known as Sevin, for severe infections. Making sure the planting area has sufficient drainage and refraining from overhead watering will help prevent fungus infection. A fungicide can be used to treat fungal infections. In general, treating fungus after infection is ineffective, so if you’ve had issues with other plants or in a previous year, treat early in the spring as a preventative measure.
You have countless planting possibilities with the Nikko Blue Hydrangea due to its compactness. This hydrangea is ideal for compact areas, pots, and even small gardens! Almost anywhere can be an accent in your landscape! You’ll adore the hedge or group planting’s never-ending blossoms.
On what old wood do hydrangeas bloom?
Simply put, old wood is wood from the previous year. On stalks that have been part of the plant since the previous year, flower buds on hydrangeas that bloom on old wood are set in the late summer.
The mophead, bigleaf (macrophylla), lacecap, and oakleaf kinds of hydrangea bloom on ancient wood.
These gorgeous shrubs require very little pruning. If you must, though, knowing when and where to trim is crucial. That’s because the less flowers you have the following summer, the more old wood you take.
To keep your old wood hydrangeas healthy and vigorous, take the following three steps:
- Pruning flowering stems back to a pair of sound buds should be done as soon as possible after blooming, but no later than July.
- Remove weak or broken stems during the winter or early spring pruning. The oldest stalks should only be removed in thirds, cutting them to the ground.
- To maintain the shape of your shrubs and revitalize them, repeat the method each summer.
What occurs if my hydrangea isn’t pruned?
If and when you prune is the key to happy, healthy hydrangea flowers. Of course, fertilizing and offering the ideal environment have a lot to recommend them. However, if you don’t prune properly, your efforts will be in vain. Deadheading is not the same as trimming. Pruning refers to more drastic cutting to preserve shape or remove dead growth. However, feel free to discard spent blossoms or cut fresh ones to use in arrangements.
Hydrangeas can bloom on either fresh wood or old wood, depending on the species. The wood from which they blossom determines whether and when to prune.
Old wood-blooming hydrangeas do not require pruning and benefit from it. They’ll blossom more abundantly the next season if you leave them alone. But feel free to deadhead or gently thin. Just keep in mind that while new growth may appear, it won’t bloom until the following season. In our region, four different species blossom on aged wood. Additionally, they are not limited to the hues displayed here.
Climb using suckers. On your wall or trellis, resist the desire to remove the dormant growth.
The flower heads are more conical in appearance, and the leaves are large and resemble oak leaves. It’s a pleasant surprise for a hydrangea when its leaves turn reddish-orange in the fall.
They are very comparable to lacecap types, but smaller and with more compact leaves.
Pruning should be done in late winter or early spring on hydrangeas that bloom on new wood. Trim back to two feet to prune to shape. The next season’s blossoms are produced by strong, fresh growth that is encouraged by trimming. In our region, there are two types that bloom on fresh wood. They are also not restricted to the colors displayed.
Oakleaf variants are not included in cone-shaped blooms. Keep the blooms on throughout the winter to provide interest; even dried out, they are quite lovely.
regarded as a wild kind. They often have smaller blooms and leaves than Bigleaf variants and are completely white. They enjoy full sun and can grow very tall.
Knowing whether or when to prune now will help you avoid the disappointment of a hydrangea that doesn’t blossom. Don’t forget that a robust shrub will produce more gorgeous blossoms if it has well-draining soil and good organic fertilizer. Come on in, and we’ll show you where to go to develop your green thumb.
Cut back these shrubs in late winter before new growth begins
Shrubs that flower on young wood typically start blooming later than old-growth bloomers, beginning in June and continuing until the first frost, because they need to grow and set buds the same year that they bloom. As long as you avoid trimming when the flower buds are opening, these shrubs are understanding if it is not done at a specific period.
1. Trim the flowers all the way back for larger blooms.
These bushes can be completely removed from the ground in late winter or the beginning of spring. If cut severely like this every year, smooth hydrangeas will produce much larger flowers, but many gardeners prefer smaller blooms on stronger stems.
2. Maintain an old growth foundation to lessen flopping
Especially after watering from above or after a heavy storm, the branches of some hydrangeas frequently topple over from the weight of their blooms. Cutting the stems to a height of 18 to 24 inches will help to reduce this flopping by creating a strong framework for fresh growth.
Janet Carson is the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service’s horticulture specialist.
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