In Oklahoma, hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) are a common shrub choice for landscaping. In ideal circumstances, they can reach 6 feet in height and 10 feet in width. Depending on the species, hydrangeas produce enormous globe-shaped flower heads made up of thousands of smaller pink, blue, green, purple, or white flowers. Since they persist a long time, the blooms are frequently used in fresh or dried cut flower arrangements. The most popular mop head hydrangea types are not native to Oklahoma and require special attention to survive the summer’s extreme heat.
Choose a spot for your hydrangea shrubs that will shield them from the hottest afternoon sun. Best sun exposure is in the morning till noon. Planting can be done by placing it on the east or north side of a structure or shade tree. If the hydrangea bushes are already established, you will need to move them to a new place or provide shade for protection. Hydrangeas planted in full sun may struggle to survive, while those planted in full shade will grow spindly and produce fewer blooms.
- In Oklahoma, hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) are a common shrub choice for landscaping.
- The most popular mop head hydrangea types are not native to Oklahoma and require special attention to survive the summer’s extreme heat.
Take a look at the location where the hydrangeas are grown. While they do not thrive in soggy or wet soil, hydrangeas do best in damp soil. Dig a trench with a shovel if the area is poorly draining to prevent water from pooling around the plants.
Around the hydrangea plants’ roots, cover the planting area with a 2-inch layer of compost. Spread the compost evenly across the soil surface using a rake to avoid upsetting the plants’ thin roots.
To keep the hydrangeas’ root system moist and shield it from weed growth, add a 1-inch layer of mulch around it. Rake out the mulch layer surrounding the bushes each spring, then add an additional inch of compost before putting new mulch.
- Take a look at the location where the hydrangeas are grown.
- Around the hydrangea plants’ roots, cover the planting area with a 2-inch layer of compost.
To keep the hydrangea plants from withering in the late afternoon, water the soil around them as often as necessary. Apply water to the soil surrounding the roots when you water. Avoid misting the blooms or foliage with water. When the plant is wet, the likelihood of developing fungus and mildew infections rises.
If pruning is necessary, do it as soon as the blooming season is over. Because hydrangeas bloom on wood that was created the previous season, pruning hydrangeas late in the season might impair the production of blooms the following year. Dead wood must always be removed.
- To keep the hydrangea plants from withering in the late afternoon, water the soil around them as often as necessary.
Use a fertilizer designated for hydrangeas, as indicated on the label. Pay close attention to the instructions on the package. The hydrangea plants’ ability to bloom can be hampered by excessive fertilization. Start fertilizing in April, and then follow the fertilizer’s label’s suggested schedule after that. Your final fertilizer treatment should be no later than September since there is no need to fertilize once the plants become dormant in the fall.
Can you grow hydrangeas in Oklahoma?
One of the most well-liked shrubs for landscaping is the hydrangea. These lovely, flowering shrubs are noted for their ability to produce ball-shaped clusters of tiny flowers in a range of vivid hues, including blue, purple, pink, and white. They are frequently adored by Tulsa gardeners for their profuse, colorful flowers that seem to cover the entire garden.
But hydrangeas may find life challenging in Oklahoma due to the state’s frequently unpredictable and occasionally harsh weather. To withstand the extreme heat of Oklahoma, they frequently require a lot of care. Which of these magnificent shrub kinds thrives in Oklahoma, then?
The Endless Summer hydrangea is a reblooming hydrangea that can bloom every few weeks in the summer and fall. It can bloom on both fresh and old wood, and it can withstand Oklahoma’s cold weather better than other types. These thrive in a spot that receives morning sun and afternoon shade that is somewhat shaded. Like other types, these hydrangeas require rich, moist soil that drains well. Although they require a lot of water, they do not thrive in muddy or perpetually moist environments.
One of the hardiest hydrangeas with some of the longest blooms is the Annabelle variety.
These lovely shrubs for the landscape bloom till they are brilliant white before changing back to light green. In Oklahoma, annabels typically bloom from early June through September. This cultivar is reputed to be extremely disease resistant and more drought tolerant than others.
A hydrangea that is reputed to be simpler to grow is the oak leaf variety. The Oak Leaf has distinctive cone-shaped clusters of white flowers in contrast to the ball-shaped or “mop head flower type, as well as oak-like leaves that turn a stunning reddish-purple in the fall.
What is the ideal location for hydrangea planting?
Plant hydrangeas close to a water source in an area with lots of light. Choose a location in the South where there is morning sun and afternoon shade. Hydrangeas can tolerate full-day sun in the north.
What is the key to hydrangea growth?
Hydrangeas have huge bloom heads and exude an old-fashioned elegance. How to plant and take care of beautiful floral bushes is explained in our hydrangea growing guide. Additionally, learn the answers to frequently asked questions like “why aren’t my hydrangeas blossoming this year?”
About Hydrangeas
These elegant plants are simple to grow, withstand nearly any sort of soil, and produce an abundance of blossoms that are unmatched in the world of shrubs for their stunning flowers. Clear blue, vivid pink, frosty white, lavender, and rose blossoms sometimes grow on the same plant, enticing us with their colors.
From container gardens to shrub borders to group plantings, hydrangeas are great for a variety of garden locations. Breeders seem to give us more possibilities every year, and gardeners have countless expectations for bloom size and color. Varieties abound. Pay attention to the species listed below to get an idea of how your hydrangea will develop as some require different maintenance. The joys you experience will be enhanced when you know what to expect.
Enjoy this tribute to hydrangea beauty and read our guide below to discover how to grow hydrangeas.
Where to Plant Hydrangeas
- The majority of hydrangeas like fertile, moisture-rich soils that drain well. Compost can help improve bad soil.
- Hydrangeas typically prefer some sun. In an ideal world, they would receive full sun in the morning and then some afternoon shade to avoid the intense midday sun. The Bigleaf Hydrangea (H. macrophylla), with its huge, prone-to-wilting leaves, is a prime example of this. Some kinds can withstand more direct sunlight.
- Depending on the kind, place hydrangeas anywhere between 3 and 10 feet apart. Plants should always be spaced according to their anticipated mature size!
When to Plant Hydrangeas
- The optimum season to plant hydrangeas is in the fall, followed by spring. The cooler shoulder seasons are the ideal times to plant shrubs because they will have plenty of time to build a strong root system before the intense heat of summer or the bitter cold of winter.
- In the early morning or late afternoon, plant the shrubs. The plant is less prone to experience heat stress from direct sunshine because it is typically cooler.
How to Plant Hydrangeas
- Gently remove the hydrangea from its container and examine the root ball. Snip off any rotten or dead sections, and if the plant is very root-bound, pry the roots free.
- Make a hole that is two to three times as big and as deep as the root ball. The top of the planting hole should be level with the base of the plant, which is where the stem joins the earth.
- After placing the plant in the hole, add enough soil to fill it halfway. generously hydrate. Fill the remaining space in the hole with soil once the water has been absorbed.
- once more, thoroughly rinse.
How to Grow Hydrangeas from Cuttings
Cuttings of hydrangeas can be easily grown. They easily take root, and the process is a wonderful teaching tool for propagation. This is how you do it:
- Find a branch on a mature hydrangea that is fresh growth and has not flowered. In comparison to older growth, new growth will appear lighter in color, and the stem won’t be as firm.
- Make a horizontal incision 4 to 5 inches down from the branch’s tip. Make sure your cutting has at least three to four pairs of leaves.
- Trim the cutting’s lowest pair of leaves so that they are flush with the stem. If you can afford to remove more than one pair of leaves, do so. Roots develop more readily from these leaf nodes. But make sure to leave at least two pairs of leaves at the cutting’s tip.
- Remove the tip half of any leaves that are still pretty large by cutting them in half. This keeps the leaves from slamming into the sides of the plastic bag you’ll later use to cover the cutting (to keep the humidity up).
- (Optional) Sprinkle rooting hormone and a plant antifungal powder on the stem’s leafless area (both available at a local hardware or garden store). This will promote roots and deter decay.
- Prepare a small pot and put moistened potting soil inside. The cutting should be planted in the ground, buried down to the first remaining pair of leaves. Lightly water the area surrounding the stem to close any air spaces.
- Wrap a plastic bag loosely around the entire pot. To prevent the cutting’s leaves from rotting, make sure the bag is not touching them. The bag can be supported by chopsticks or other such objects to keep it off the leaves.
- Put the pot in a warm location that is protected from the wind and sun.
- Only rewater your cutting after the top layer of soil is dry after checking on it every few days to make sure it isn’t decaying. In a few weeks, hopefully, the cutting will start to root! If you feel resistance when you gently tug on the cutting, roots have grown.
Watering
- Make sure hydrangeas get enough water for the first year or two after planting and throughout any droughts.
- Over the course of the growing season, water at a rate of 1 inch per week. Three times a week of heavy watering is preferable to shallow watering. Root growth is promoted by this.
- All varieties of hydrangeas benefit from constant moisture, but bigleaf and smooth hydrangeas need more water.
- If the soil is too dry, the leaves will wilt, and there won’t be enough moisture for the flowers to bloom.
- To water thoroughly while keeping moisture off the flowers and leaves, use a soaker hose.
- The best time to water hydrangeas is in the morning to protect them from disease and get them ready for the heat of the day.
- Under your hydrangeas, spread organic mulch to help keep the soil cool and moist, gradually add nutrients, and enhance soil texture.
Fertilizing
You might not need to fertilize hydrangeas if your soil is rich. When fertilizer is applied in excess, blossoms are sacrificed in favor of green growth. A soil test is the most effective tool for determining your fertility requirements.
Apply fertilizer according to the type of hydrangeas you have. Every variety has varied requirements and will profit from applying fertilizer at various times.
- Several mild fertilizer applications in March, May, and June are beneficial for bigleaf hydrangeas.
- Two applications in April and June work best for oakleaf and panicle hydrangeas.
- The only time smooth hydrangea plants require fertilizing is in the late winter.
Winter Protection
- Cover plants with bark mulch, leaves, pine needles, or straw in the fall, at least 18 inches deep. If at all feasible, create cages out of chicken wire or snow fencing and cover the entire plant, including the tip, with the cages. (Avoid using maple leaves; they have a tendency to mat after becoming wet and may suffocate the plant.)
How to Prune a Hydrangea
Many of the queries from readers concern hydrangea trimming. It makes sense that it’s unclear because it relies on the hydrangea kind. Fortunately, identifying which type you have makes determining the best pruning strategy simple. Discover the fundamentals below, then read more about pruning different varieties of hydrangea here.
Pruning Common Hydrangeas
The Bigleaf cultivar of Hydrangea macrophylla is the most popular garden hydrangea shrub. (For more, see below.)
Hydrangeas with large leaves, such as Bigleaf (H. macrophylla), Oakleaf (H. quercifolia), Mountain (H. serrata), and Climbing (H. anomala subsp. petiolaris), are pruned AFTER the summer blooms have passed. On stems from the previous season, these kinds bloom (“old wood).
- Avoid pruning after August 1 since flower buds actually grow in the late summer and bloom the next season.
- Dead wood should only be removed in the fall or very early spring.
- To stimulate branching and fullness, trim one or two of the oldest stems by cutting them all the way to the ground.
- Pruning the stems all the way to the base is necessary if the plant is old, neglected, or injured. For the following season, you’ll lose the flowers, but you’ll also revive the plant for subsequent ones.
- The huge Mopheads should not be deadheaded (faded flowers removed); instead, you should leave them over the winter and trim them back in the early spring (to the first healthy pair of buds). Deadheading Lacecaps is OK; simply trim down to the second set of leaves below the bloom head.
- Avoid pruning unless it is absolutely required while growing H. macrophylla (and H. serrata) cultivars in Zones 4 and 5, and then only after blooming. If not, merely remove dead stems in the spring.
Pruning Other Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas called Panicle (H. paniculata) and Smooth (H. arborescens) are clipped BEFORE flower buds develop. On stems from the current season, these kinds blossom (“new wood).
- When the plant is dormant in the late winter, prune. The plant will therefore grow new buds in the spring that will result in blossoms even if the winter kills the buds.
- In general, avoid pruning to “shape the bush” and just remove dead branches.