Brown County University of Minnesota Master Gardener
Each year, lovely hydrangea bushes will reward you with gorgeous blossoms that will instantly transport you back to your happy youth. Who could forget the white hydrangeas with their snowball-sized blossoms. We would have been astounded by the size as kids. Growing hydrangeas is enjoyable since we are still amazed and amused by them as grownups. It is even simpler to take care of hydrangeas because they are fairly resilient and resistant to the majority of pests and illnesses. You are sure to find one that is perfect for you because there are so many different types.
Planting is best done in the spring and fall. Plant in the springtime when the risk of frost has passed. Place your hydrangea in a location where you won’t need to prune it. These shrubs have a robust growth rate, and they are naturally large and attractive. Your hydrangea shouldn’t be planted any deeper than it was when it was in the pot. Planting beneath trees should be avoided since the roots will fight for moisture and nutrients. For the first few years, give your hydrangea enough water to help the roots grow strong, but don’t let the water pool around the plants. Use a balanced, slow-release fertiliser once a year, or apply 10-10-10 twice a year. Compost or commercial manure are both organic substitutes. By August, stop fertilising to allow your hydrangea to prepare for dormancy.
Though there are many different varieties of hydrangeas, the majority may be grown in some shade. They do need four hours of sunlight each day. However, a lot of hydrangeas dislike really hot weather, so try to place them where they can take advantage of some afternoon shade. Although hydrangeas can be planted in a variety of soil types, they normally need rich, wet soil that drains well. Before planting, amend the soil with compost to help loosen it. After planting hydrangeas, mulch can also be added.
When taking care of hydrangeas, water is crucial. At least once a week, especially in dry conditions, they enjoy deep watering. However, hydrangeas should only be transplanted in the fall or early spring when they are dormant. Make sure to remove the entire rootball before planting it again right away.
Hydrangeas come in a variety of varieties, and each may require somewhat different trimming and care. Before making a purchase, carefully review the plant tag for details, zone hardiness, when to trim, and whether it needs sun or shade so you can plant in the appropriate location.
Types of hydrangeas, sometimes known as hydrangeas:
Round, globular flower heads can be found on mopheads. The majority enjoy early sun and afternoon shade, but they avoid strong shade because it can result in subpar flowering. Along with white, lavender, and lilac, they also come in blue and pink. The flower heads of H. macrophylla normalis, which is also known as lace cap hydrangea and has the same fundamental growing needs as mopheads, are made up of considerably bigger sterile male flowers in the outer ring and tiny disk-shaped fertile flowers in the centre. Flower heads on lacecaps are loosely placed and flattened. This gives the garden a very different appearance. Because they generated flower buds on last year’s stems or the old stems, these hydrangeas were frequently challenging to coax to re-bloom in cold climes. The new stems formed during the season were unable to bear blooms if they suffered severe winter damage and died to the ground. Since then, new macrophylla varieties that bloom on both old and young stems have been introduced, changing this. Gardeners now have a chance to blossom even if stems are completely destroyed. Verify the growing zone on the label (some zone 4, but most are zone 5).
Smaller shrubs called H. serratas are a subspecies of macrophyllas. Shade them partially. H. arborescens, often known as smooth or wild hydrangea, makes a lovely addition to any garden. The most popular cultivar is “Annabelle,” which consistently produces large, white blooms. The Hydrangea paniculata species are among the most tolerant of urban environments and adaptable hydrangeas. These plants favour either full sun or partial shade, well-prepared, wet soil.
The University of Minnesota has identified the following cultivars as hardy in Minnesota. Although the University does not advocate any particular types, it does provide the following for you to take into account for your garden:
One of the most well-known names for hydrangeas is Annabelle. Annabelles, often referred to as Snowball hydrangeas or smooth hydrangeas, feature enormous, symmetrical blooms in the months of June and July. It can get up to 4-5 feet tall and 3-5 feet broad and is hardy to Zone 3. With creamy white flowers that are frequently more than 8 inches across, it is likely the most showy hydrangea in the garden. Rich, well-drained soil that is regularly moist is what Annabelle prefers. It thrives in some shade and tolerates a wide range of soil pH levels. If it is planted in full sun, make sure to water it enough to prevent the leaves from drooping. Each spring, just as the new buds start to appear on the lower stems, Annabelle needs to be cut back to within a foot or two of the ground since it blooms on new wood.
The first pink-flowering ‘Annabelle’ hydrangea is called ‘Invincibelle Spirit. From summer through fall, this plant produces a tonne of bright pink blossoms, and the colour is unaffected by the pH of the soil. It can reach heights of four to five feet.
Incrediball is an enhanced version of the tried-and-true “Annabelle.” The blossoms are enormous, measuring up to 12 inches in diameter, as their name suggests. The stems are also much more sturdy than those of “Annabelle,” allowing them to support the heavy flower heads and prevent them from drooping. Incrediball may reach heights of four to five feet.
The name “panicle hydrangea” also refers to Hydrangea paniculata ‘Grandiflora’. PeeGee is a robust cultivar that can withstand Zone 3. In August and September, it blooms in a spectacular conical shape. They start out milky white and fade to a lovely bronze-pink that lasts well into the fall after a few weeks. The shrub will expand to a height and width of 8 to 10 feet in our environment. The ideal soil for PeeGee hydrangeas is loamy, evenly moist, and well-drained. They can thrive in both full sun and partial shade and are pH-adaptable. Any pruning should be done in the spring since they blossom on new wood. Because PeeGee hydrangeas are so resilient, dieback is rarely an issue.
Limelight hydrangea paniculata Limelight is hardy to Zone 4 and is related to PeeGee hydrangea. It varies from PeeGee by flowering later and having flowers that are a vivid lime green. With a height and width of 6 feet and 8 feet, it develops into a rounded shrub. Make sure to give it a lot of room to expand. Limelight thrives in both full sun and partial shade. It will offer bloom in the late summer and early fall. Limelight blooms develop on young wood, and early spring pruning is advised. It tolerates a wide variety of pH levels and does best on loamy, well-drained soil.
When do hydrangeas bloom?
The type, cultivar, planting zone, and hydrangea blooming season all affect when they bloom. The majority of hydrangeas with new growth form buds in the early summer in preparation for blooming the next spring, summer, and early fall. Hydrangeas may stop flowering in the heat of the summer in hot locations, but they will blossom again in the fall.
How do you cut back hydrangeas?
Hydrangea plants don’t require pruning if they are allowed plenty of room to develop in the garden. Only the periodic clearance of dead wood is necessary.
Do you need to deadhead hydrangeas?
Your hydrangeas will continue to bloom into the fall if you deadhead them. Hydrangeas make wonderful cut flowers, so there’s no need to wait until the flower wilts. Leave the early fall blossoms alone so they can fade naturally. In the days leading up to your freeze date, you don’t want to promote new growth.
How do you control hydrangea color?
The distinction of hydrangeas is that you can modify their colour. But keep in mind that not all hydrangea varieties can change their colour. H. macrophylla, a species of bigleaf hydrangea, responds to changes in soil pH. Hydrangeas can absorb aluminium thanks to a low soil pH, which gives the blossoms a lovely blue hue. Reduce the pH of your soil by mixing in sulphur or peat moss to enhance the number of blue hydrangea flowers. Throughout the growth season, you can keep amending your soil with extra aluminium sulphate. When you add ground limestone to boost the pH, pink and red blooms shine.
You may precisely modify your hydrangea colour using a soil pH test. Avoid pH levels above 7.5 to prevent damage to the plant. In the fall, all hydrangeas will naturally fade regardless of the modifications you’ve made. Don’t worry, the plant will display vibrant, new blossoms once more in the spring.
Can hydrangeas grow in shade?
Although they won’t blossom in complete shade, hydrangeas prefer dappled or infrequent shade. How much sun do hydrangeas need is more important to consider than whether they love the sun or the shade. Your hydrangeas require more sunlight the further north in your garden you are. A general guideline is six hours of sunlight each day. However, southern hydrangeas can thrive with just three hours of sunlight per day.
Can hydrangeas grow in full sun?
While hydrangeas prefer morning sun, they struggle in the hot, afternoon sun. For these gorgeous creatures, partial shade in the later hours of the day is optimal.
Can you grow hydrangeas in pots?
Even if you don’t have enough room in your garden to cultivate hydrangeas, you can still enjoy these lovely blossoms by learning how to grow hydrangea in a pot. As long as you follow the fundamentals of caring for hydrangeas, the procedure is rather straightforward. Select a pot with at least an 18-inch diameter to accommodate the mature size of the particular hydrangea you are growing. In order to maintain the constant moisture level that hydrangeas demand, look for non-porous containers. Excess water will be able to adequately drain thanks to drainage holes. Consider growing dwarf hydrangeas like Buttons ‘n Bows, Mini Penny, and Little Lime.
How do you keep hydrangeas from wilting?
Morning irrigation on a regular basis can assist stop withering. Some hydrangea cultivars simply can’t stand the heat. No matter how much water you give them, they will begin to wilt in the afternoon heat. Mulch applied in layers can help soil retain moisture and stay cool. You shouldn’t be concerned if your hydrangeas bloom again once the day cools. A little midday wilting is preferable to overwatering and drowning your hydrangeas.
Can you grow hydrangeas in Minnesota?
As one of the most well-liked woody blooming shrubs in Minnesota landscapes, hydrangeas receive many questions about how and when to prune. Heading cuts reduce the length of tiny branches or reroute growth. A heading cut’s high point should be around 1/4″ above a bud.
Why haven’t the hydrangeas bloomed this year?
Lack of sun and lack of time are the two most typical, fundamental causes of hydrangeas not blooming. Make sure one of these two problems isn’t the cause of your problem before continuing your inquiry.
Although they can thrive in partial sunlight, hydrangeas need at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight and an additional 4-6 hours of indirect sunlight each day.
Time is the second typical cause of hydrangeas not blooming. Many people demand rapid gratification from their gardens, but that is unattainable. Perennial plants take years to mature, according to Standard. It can take a hydrangea 2–5 years after planting before it blooms, depending on the variety.
If your hydrangea is at least a few years old, receives plenty of sun, and is not flowering, it may be time to investigate further.
Should hydrangeas be pruned annually?
Only prune these hydrangeas in the summer after bloom, not in the fall. In August and September, old wood hydrangeas begin to form their bloom buds for the following year. It is advisable to delay pruning your hydrangeas until the following year if you don’t do it right away. If not, there won’t be any blossoms the next spring.