Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Nikko Blue,’ which is wildly popular and rightfully so, has enormous, spherical flower heads that can measure up to 5 inches across (12 cm) and are packed tightly with rich, deep blue florets. ‘Nikko Blue’ is exceptionally floriferous and develops fresh flower stalks all summer long, blooming in the early summer for up to two months. Large, glossy, serrated leaves with a medium green colour make up the foliage. It is a well-known name for mophead hydrangeas and is now used as the benchmark for other blue hydrangeas.
- This robust deciduous shrub normally grows 4-6 feet tall and wide, with a round form (120-180 cm).
- It thrives on rich, medium-moisture, well-drained soils and enjoys some shade. If there is constant moisture present, full sun is tolerated.
- No significant pest or disease problems. Keep an eye out for leaf spots, mildew, bacterial wilt, and bud blight.
- Perfect for container and foundation plantings. grouped in a protected area or used as a decorative plant. effective as a hedge and also produces top-notch cut flowers!
- The flowers are blue in acidic soils and change pink in alkaline soils. Adding lime to the soil will turn the blossoms pink, while adding aluminium sulphate will make them bluer. Treatment should start in advance (late fall or early spring).
- To encourage new blooms, remove discarded flowers.
- After flowering, this lovely deciduous shrub needs to be trimmed, with the stems being cut back to a pair of sound buds. In the early spring, remove weak or winter-damaged stems.
- Japan is the species’ natural home of the hydrangea macrophylla. From Honshu southward, reports of it come from both mountainous and seaside environments in Japan. In China, New Zealand, and the Americas, this species has become a native species.
- Ingestion may result in a minor stomach ache, and coming into contact with foliage may make skin allergies worse. When handling, put on gloves and other protective gear.
Does the Nikko blue hydrangea bloom again?
H. macrophylla ‘Endless Summer’: This varietal is aptly-name, as it’s a repeat bloomer throughout the season. Additionally prized for its resilience and capacity to thrive in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 9, H.
Does the Nikko blue hydrangea have a long blooming season?
All summer long, this deciduous mop head hydrangea blooms with stunning 4-inch blue blooms. Instead of only the top of the plant, as with other types, blossoms appear all over the plant. More alkaline soils may cause the flower heads to turn pinker.
This plant grows quickly and will be fully grown in just two or three years. It’s a wise option for a rapidly expanding privacy screen. This shrub can be used as an accent plant, foundation planting, addition to a border of mixed shrubs, or to make a colourful hedge. Use the dried flowers for craft projects after cutting a few blossoms to make lovely bouquets.
Do hydrangeas called Nikko blue bloom every year?
Your garden would be the ideal place for the Nikko Blue Hydrangea. This hydrangea will undoubtedly add colour 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 colour of the blossoms will be pinker if the soil is more neutral in size. For bluer blooms, add aluminium sulphate 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 sulphur, or fertilisers 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 fertiliser with a delayed release. For optimal results, fertilise 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 defence against illness and pests. The keys to your success are selecting the right place, providing adequate water, and fertilising. 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.
Many customers ask why their hydrangeas aren’t blooming. The primary reasons hydrangeas don’t bloom are incorrect pruning, bud damage due to winter and/or early spring weather, location and too much fertilizer.
There are hydrangea kinds that bloom on either fresh or old wood, or even both. Both new and old wood are the growth of the following year (spring), respectively.
- Consider that this year, you bought a Nikko Blue Hydrangea. For the next year, Nikko’s produce blooms in the fall. Your Nikko is therefore creating blooms this fall that will blossom in the spring.
- Therefore, you wouldn’t want to completely prune your Nikko Blue Hydrangea this fall while you are pruning your perennials. Pruning the Nikko Blue Hydrangea this fall would effectively mean cutting off your hydrangea flowers for the upcoming spring.
- The idea behind Endless Summer, a hydrangea variety that blooms on both old and new wood, is that the plant will set blooms this fall to blossom not only in the spring of the following year, but will also keep producing blooms in the spring of the following year to extend the blossoms into the summer.
- Once more, pruning your Endless Summer hydrangea in the fall would mean removing some of the flowers that would blossom in the spring.
The hydrangea’s plant tag will indicate whether it blooms on fresh wood, old wood, or both. It is typically preferable to wait until spring to prune your hydrangeas. As the plant grows, you’ll see stems that are fragile when bent and lack any leaves. Since these stems are dead and won’t produce any flowers, they should be clipped close to the plant’s base.
The second reason why your hydrangeas aren’t blooming is probably the weather. Buds of hydrangeas are extremely susceptible to cold. Therefore, it is a good idea to wrap your hydrangea for the winter if it is an old wood hydrangea. Keep in mind that old wood hydrangeas establish their blooms for the following spring in the fall. Therefore, you won’t have blossoms in the spring if the fall-produced buds are frozen in the winter.
You can wrap anything with regular burlap. Burlap should be wrapped around the plant and filled with mulch or leaves after the first hard frost and after the hydrangea’s leaves have dropped. In order for the buds to survive the winter and sprout the following spring, the plant receives insulation from this. Never wrap your hydrangeas in plastic. When warmer winter days arrive, the plant cannot breathe since plastic, unlike burlap, doesn’t breathe. As a result, the plant can heated to such high temperatures that it cooks within the plastic and perishes.
The second most frequent weather-related cause hydrangeas do not blossom is late spring killing frosts. We saw really chilly temperatures in April both this year and last year after beautiful spring days. When springtime temperatures drop below freezing, hydrangeas need to be covered with an old beach towel or sheet. Because of the temperature dip, there won’t be any blossoms.
The majority of hydrangeas require at least 3 to 4 hours of light per day to bloom. The best light is in the early morning, midday light is acceptable if it is dabbled light rather than beating sun, and afternoon sun is typically too hot. Check the plant label, though. Newer hydrangea cultivars are being created that can withstand more sun exposure time and sun intensity. A hydrangea in full sun will require much more watering than one in diffused light, so keep that in mind.
High nitrogen fertiliser should not be used to feed hydrangeas. Nitrogen is indicated by the first number on the fertiliser ratio. (The ratio stands for N, P, and K) For healthy leaves and general good growth, some nitrogen (N) is required; however, a ratio of 8-16-6 or any similar combination with a higher middle or phosphorus (P) value is prefered. The growth of roots and shoots is encouraged by phosphorus, which improves the blooming process.
Potash (K), the third element’s last quantity and the lowest ratio, is for plant hardiness. Because hydrangeas prefer acidic soil, they can be fertilised with fertilisers designed for such plants. Hydrangeas only require fertilising twice a year, once in early spring and once in mid-summer. To avoid root burn, make sure the soil is always moist before applying a fertiliser.
Blue Nikko hydrangeas: how do you keep them blue?
Although most plants may grow in a variety of soils, others require particular kinds of soil to thrive. Rhododendrons, azaleas, and other ericaceous plants require acidic soils in order to thrive. The soil in your garden must be acidic if they flourish there or in the gardens nearby. Rhododendron leaves turning yellow or disappearing from the area indicate that your soil is likely alkaline. In addition to affecting what you may grow, your soil type can also affect some plants’ leaf and blossom colours; hydrangeas are a well-known example.
Some hydrangea cultivars grow pink or red in alkaline soil and blue or purple in acidic soil. Therefore, if you plant a beautiful blue lacecap or mophead hydrangea in your garden and your soil is neutral to acidic, it will continue to produce blue flowers every year. Even if it was clear blue when you got it, it will flower purple-red or pink if you plant it in alkaline soil the next year.
It is challenging to keep beautiful blue blossoms alive in the open ground, but it is doable if you grow it in a pot; hydrangeas make wonderful topics for pots and containers. Select a pot that is attractive and big, at least 40 cm (15 cm) in diameter. Vitax Ericaceous Compost is the best growing medium for it; plant it there. If you consistently feed your hydrangea, it will thrive on this fertiliser that is specifically made for rhododendrons, azaleas, and other lime-hating plants.
Even though the growing medium begins out being free of lime, repeated watering in places with hard water tends to make it more alkaline. Therefore, add Vitax Hydrangea Colourant, a powder containing aluminium that you may mix with the compost, to ensure that your hydrangea stays truly blue. Each spring, you can also incorporate a small amount into the soil’s top layer and add it to the can when watering your plant.
White hydrangeas, incidentally, don’t change colour depending on the type of soil, but they can blush pink in the light.
Feeding and watering
In pots, containers, and during dry spells in the open ground, regular watering is necessary since hydrangeas detest dry environments. When you plant your hydrangea in a bed or border, add lots of garden compost or farmyard manure, and make sure to water well both before and after planting.
The presence of food in the soil is necessary for hydrangeas to grow and produce flowers, even if they are not very demanding plants. In the open ground and in pots and containers, Vitax Conifer and Shrub Fertilizer should be used annually. This is ideal for acid-loving plants and won’t change the hydrangea’s colour.
Does new or old wood produce Nikko blue flowers?
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 colours 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 aluminium sulphate 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 colour 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 favours 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 colour 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 favourites, 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.