Popular summer flowering shrubs include hydrangeas. Most people see hydrangeas as having big pink or blue puffball-shaped blooms, but there are many more shapes, sizes, and kinds as well. Hydrangeas that are simpler to integrate into the landscape have been introduced in smaller sizes. Due to our severe winters, it might be difficult to get some hydrangeas to bloom in Western New York. With this lovely summer flower, the first step to success is figuring out which will thrive in your garden.
Although hydrangeas may generally be grown in a variety of soil types, they prefer a rich, moist soil that is rich in organic matter. They do not tolerate drought well. Hydrangeas typically need one inch of water per week, but in hot, dry conditions, they may need up to two inches to avoid wilting. The majority of species may thrive in either full sun or light shade. They have minimal illnesses or pest insects. Because certain types of hydrangea shrubs flower on old wood while others do on new, different species require different pruning techniques.
Only five of the approximately 23 species of hydrangea are commonly grown in the United States. Probably the most well-known variety is Hydrangea macrophylla, often known as bigleaf, French, garden, or florist’s hydrangea. In the early summer, it produces those enormous puffball blooms of blue, pink, or white flowers. This native to Japan is considered zone 6 hardy, while some individuals may be zone 5. It will die back to the ground in cold winters and spring leaf out will be delayed. Bigleaf hydrangeas produce bloom buds on old wood (growth from the previous year), which means the buds must endure the winter. Unfortunately, in colder climes like ours, these buds have a minimal chance of surviving. They could be harmed by a freeze in the early or late spring. This is the primary cause of this hydrangea’s inability to bloom. To assist save delicate flower buds, try growing Hydrangea macrophylla in a protected place with adequate snow cover.
There are two varieties of flower heads on bigleaf hydrangeas. the Lacecap group, which has flowers in a flat-topped cluster, and the Mophead (Hortensia) group, which has blooms that resemble enormous globes. Mophead and a few of lacecap hydrangea blooms are pH-sensitive. Flowers typically turn blue on soils with an acidic pH of 5.5 or lower. Pink-hued blooms are more common in neutral to alkaline soils (pH 6.5 and above). The flowers can be purple or a combination of blue and pink blossoms can be found on the same plant between pH 5.5 and pH 6.5. As a result, you can add sulfur to make hydrangea blossoms more blue and lime to make them more pink if you wish.
The beautiful flowers of bigleaf hydrangeas are typically their raison d’être, but some varieties also have gorgeous leaves. The beautiful golden-green foliage of “Sun Goddess,” also known as “Lemon Zest” and “Yellow Leaf,” will shine in the shadow garden. Golden foliage is also found on “Lemon Daddy.” Both “Light-O-Day” and “Variegata” have lush green leaves with white edges and lacecap blooms. One benefit of these plants is that you may still enjoy the vibrant foliage even if the flower buds die throughout the winter.
Native to the eastern United States, smooth hydrangea (H. arborescens) develops as a shrub in the understory of woodlands. It develops into a rounded shrub that is 3 to 5 feet tall and wide, preferring part shade and lots of rain. It consistently blooms in late June or early July, giving forth clusters of white flowers that are 4 to 6 inches in diameter. The cultivar “Annabelle” has long been well-liked. It bears huge, up to 12-inch-wide flower heads. Since it has bigger flower heads and thicker upright stems that don’t flop when in bloom, “Incrediball” is regarded as an enhanced variant of “Annabelle.” The pale pink blooms of “Incrediball Blush” eventually deepen to a deep pink before fading to chartreuse in the fall. Try one of the H. arborescens kinds if you want a hydrangea that is generally trouble-free and deer-resistant. They may die back to the ground in the winter even though they are hardy to zone 4, but they will bloom the following year.
The Panicle hydrangeas bloom at a later point in the growing season (H. paniculata). They are a different hardy variety that may be grown and bloom in zones 4 to 7. It has Asian ancestry and is fairly versatile because it can withstand dry spells (but not drought) and full sun. Although lower kinds have been created, the majority will reach a height of 10 to 15 feet. Midway through the summer, it blooms with creamy white, 6 to 18-inch long panicles. Flowers may grow into a pink hue depending on the type. If necessary, prune panicle hydrangeas in late winter or early spring since they blossom on new wood. Some Paniculata hydrangeas are cultivated as trees because they often develop a woody trunk. There are many different varieties to pick from, though “Limelight” may be the most popular.
Hydrangea oakleaf (H. quercifolia) is a native to the Southeast of the United States. It has broad, lobed leaves that look like oak leaves. The 8-foot-tall oakleaf hydrangea has upright stems that develop in growth. The big, white conical flower heads appear in July, which is when it blooms. The blossoms stay beautiful until the fall before drying to a pink-mauve color. The autumn foliage may be stunning, turning hues of crimson, burgundy, and purple. The peeling bark also provides appeal to the winter months. Because they dislike having their feet wet, oakleaf hydrangeas need to have great drainage. Zone 5 is the hardiest for oakleaf hydrangeas. Large white flower clusters on the “Snow Queen” plant turn rose pink in the fall. Large heads of double, white flowers that become rosy-pink are shown on the “Snowflake” plant. A small oakleaf plant called “Ruby Slippers” has white flower clusters that progressively become pink and ultimately scarlet.
Color and beauty are provided by hydrangeas all through the summer and into the fall. They can be utilized as a specimen plant, blended with perennials, or in the shrub border.
University of Rhode Island, University of Massachusetts, U.S. National Arboretum, University of Georgia, Missouri Botanical Garden, and “Hydrangeas in the North by Tim Boebel” are some of the sources that were used to write this article.
Agriculture outreach coordinator for Cornell Cooperative Extension is Jan Beglinger.
In the Northeast, what month do hydrangeas bloom?
One of the most well-liked flowering shrubs for Massachusetts settings is the hydrangea. Indeed, one of the distinguishing features of the Cape Cod garden is the “blue” hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla or bigleaf hydrangea). Hydrangeas offer color and beauty throughout the summer and into the fall, whether they are used as a specimen flowering shrub, in a mixed planting with perennials, or in the shrub border.
In our landscapes, hydrangeas of various species are grown. They all generally have comparable cultural expectations. The ideal soil for hydrangeas is one that is continuously moist, well-drained, and rich in organic matter like compost or well-aged manure. They are not particularly resistant of dryness and do not do well in extremely dry, sandy soils. Hydrangeas typically require one inch of water per week, applied in a deep soak. They may need up to 2″ of water every week to avoid wilting in extremely hot and dry weather. In a shrub border of hydrangeas, drip watering or soaker hoses work well since they maintain the soil’s moisture while also keeping the leaves dry, lowering the risk of leaf spots. You may grow hydrangeas in either full sun or dim shade. Particularly the bigleaf hydrangea, which may wilt in full sun even with moist soil, does well if shielded from the intense afternoon heat.
When fertilizing hydrangeas in the early spring and again after blossoming, use a balanced fertilizer weighing about 4 ounces. Hydrangeas prefer a moderate amount of nutrients in the soil. Check the quality of the roots of container-grown plants before planting, and if the roots appear to be circled around the pot or pot bound, loosen them. Add organic material to the planting area and position the plant at the same depth as in the container. The surrounding soil should be level with the top of the root ball. Apply 2 to 3 inches of high-quality mulch over the new plant’s roots, keeping the mulch away from the plant’s crown. Water the new plant thoroughly.
The smooth hydrangea (H. arborescens), which grows as an understory shrub in forests, is a native of the Eastern United States. This species prefers plenty of moisture and partial shade. It develops into a spherical shrub that is 3 to 5 feet high and 3 to 5 feet broad. It blooms in late June or early July, with clusters of 4″ to 6″ wide white flowers. Popular cultivar “Annabelle” produces enormous flower heads that can measure up to 12″ in diameter. The open, lace-cap flower head of the “White Dome” survives well in heavy rain. Pruning should be done in late winter or early spring before new growth starts since smooth hydrangeas bloom on new wood. Zone 4 is the hardiest, however smooth hydrangea may die back to the ground in a very cold winter. As long as it develops flower buds on new wood, it will continue to bloom the next year.
During the month of July, the bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) is one of the prominent plants in the landscape. It has an even spread and a height range between 3 and 6 feet, with a rounded habit made up of numerous stiff, unbranched erect stems. Springtime leafing is delayed, and during particularly chilly winters, it can die back to the ground. The Hortensia group of bigleaf hydrangeas features flower clusters made up of several sterile blooms arranged in enormous globes. The Lacecap group is composed of a flat-topped cluster of gorgeous sterile flowers surrounding a center of tiny, fertile flowers.
Bigleaf hydrangea flowers frequently vary in color, with hues ranging from deep pink to red and deep pink to white. Bigleaf hydrangeas need specific pigments in order to turn pink or blue. The blossom will be a shade of blue if there is aluminum in the soil. If there is no aluminum present, the blossom will be pink. Aluminum availability is influenced by soil pH: it is more readily available in low pH soils and less readily available in high pH soils. Flowers will be blue if the soil pH is 5.5 or lower and pink, rose, or red, depending on the cultivar, if the soil pH is 6.5 or higher. The amount of pigment present in a particular cultivar determines the color’s intensity. While “Dooley” will always be either rich blue or rich pink, “Nikko Blue” will always be one of those colors.
Regarding Bigleaf hydrangea pruning, there is a lot of misunderstanding. On mature wood, flower buds often form in the summer and blossom in late June or early July the following year. On the stem’s tip, there is the main flower bud, and there are more buds forming lower down in the leaf axils. These secondary buds do not blossom if the main bud does. Some of these buds might bloom if the main bud is winter-killed. However, freezing weather in the early fall and late spring, as well as winter temperatures below 10 oF, may completely destroy all flower buds, resulting in little to no bloom the next year.
Simply pull out wilted flowers the first several years after planting when they turn brown. Just above the following row of leaves, trim them off. Maintain a healthy structure as the plant ages by cutting the oldest stems (3 years+) all the way to the ground in late winter. At that time, you should also remove any dead stems and tips. If a Bigleaf hydrangea needs to be pruned to control height, do it as soon as the flowers start to fade, right above a set of leaves. Even better, plant it where it will be able to reach its full height and width.
Bigleaf hydrangea breeding advances have led to the creation of cultivars that can bloom on both young and aged wood. This “remontant” quality enables blossoming even when the flower buds are killed by the cold. Among the cultivars with this reblooming ability are “Endless Summer,” “Penny Mac,” and “Dooley.” Up to zone 6, bigleaf hydrangeas are hardy.
The Panicle hydrangea (H. paniculata), sometimes known as the Pee Gee hydrangea, has been utilized in the landscape for many years. With an equivalent spread, this substantial shrub or small tree can grow to a height of between 10 and 20 feet. It blooms from July to September, when huge, 6- to 8-inch-long pyramidal panicles are produced. Fluffy fertile blossoms are dotted throughout the showy, sterile flowers that make up the panicles. The blossoms begin as white but gradually turn a mauve-pink color that lasts throughout the fall. Panicle hydrangeas are the most versatile type of hydrangea. It is the most resilient of the species and is more tolerant of dry spells and direct sunlight. It blooms on fresh wood; if necessary, trim in late winter or early spring to control height. Zone 3 is the hardiest for panicle hydrangeas.
The traditional Pee Gee hydrangea has the cultivar name “Grandiflora,” and it frequently takes on the form of a tree with just one main trunk. Heavy flower clusters, 12 to 18 inches long, allow the branches to arch over, giving the arrangement the appearance of a fountain. Better plants for the garden can be found in more recent varieties that have entered the market. With more fertile than sterile flowers, “Kyushu” is a robust, erect variety that has an open, airy appearance. Lime green flower buds on the 6 to 8-foot-tall and wide ‘Limelight’ plant open to a delicate greenish-white tint. The late flowering cultivar “Tardiva” blooms from late August to October and reaches heights of 8 to 12 feet. A short cultivar, “Little Lamb” only grows to a height of 4 to 6 feet. It also has tiny, delicate flowers, with flower heads that are described to resemble “little lambs dancing around the stem.”
The southeastern region of the United States is home to the native oakleaf hydrangea (H. quercifolia). Its enormous, lobed leaves can grow up to 8″ long and 5′ broad, resembling oak leaves. The 8′-tall oakleaf hydrangea has upright stems that develop in height. By growing stems from the roots, it gradually clumps together, and as it ages, the bark turns shaggy and reddish. Large, white, conical flower heads with both fertile and sterile blooms start to bloom in July. The base of the flower heads can be up to 4″ wide and 12″ long. The blossoms stay beautiful throughout the fall as they mature and dry to a lovely pink-mauve color. The scarlet and burgundy hues of the autumn foliage can be stunning. The flower buds grow on aged wood; if necessary, prune right away after bloom.
The cultivar known as “Snow Queen” has been available for some time and is excellent. It has a more compact growth habit and can withstand the sun well, maturing to a height of 6′. It has creamy white flower heads that are 6 to 8 inches long. One of the more recent varieties, “Alice,” grows to a height of 10 to 12 feet and is particularly strong. Large flower heads up to 12 to 14 inches long with florets the size of a fifty-cent piece are produced by this plant. Multiple bracts on the flowers of “Snowflake” give the impression that they are doubled. The 12 to 15-inch flower heads are so massive that they arch over, giving the impression of weeping. This variety favors moist soil and some shade. With a petite design that only grows to be 3′ tall by 3′ broad, “Pee Wee” is a wonderful choice for smaller gardens. The flower heads are also small, measuring only 5″ in length. Fall colours is good in “Pee Wee.” Zone 5 is the hardiest for oakleaf hydrangeas.
Despite not being a shrub, climbing hydrangea (H. anomela petiolaris) is one of the most magnificent climbing vines that is now accessible. Although it has the same growing conditions as other hydrangeas, it takes longer to mature after planting. Once established, it might climb as high as 60′. The climbing hydrangea ascends by using holdfasts that resemble roots to cling to surfaces. It is frequently positioned next to walls or other structures, especially at the base of large trees. It blooms in June, giving out huge, flat lace-cap-like flowers that can be up to 10″ wide and last for up to two weeks. The horizontal extension of the flowering stems from the surface they are growing on frequently gives the plant a three-dimensional appearance. Golden yellow is a fall hue. This vine is very lovely. Up to zone 4, climbing hydrangea is hardy.