When we see hydrangeas bloom in parks, their blossoms are spectacular. Every fellow American wants to purchase and grow these charming plants in their garden to sense a mesmerizing beauty.
However, while planting them, we make lots of mistakes - ultimately resulting to no blooming. So, this guide offers you a solution on when to plant hydrangeas for a thriving garden.
Several types of hydrangeas are common in our gardens or homes. Although most of the hydrangeas are usually planted between late spring and early fall, the geography and the region that they are originally from determines their plantation timing.
Likewise, planting hydrangeas in a pot to keep on your porch or even indoors is not quite similar to those that are planted on the garden surface. If you want to keep hydrangeas in a pot, try planting in spring.
The best season to plant Bigleaf Hydrangea is during fall, especially from September to the start of November. During this time, the air is cool, but the soil remains warm and perfect for the development of roots without the pressure from summer heat.
Planting them during fall will enable the hydrangea plant to establish a root system before winter, thus acclimatizing it for winter. The fall increases rainfall due to which the plants do not require frequent watering.
Spring planting could also be done between March and May; however, fall is preferred because it sets the stage for more vigorous growth during the succeeding spring and summer.
Mountain Hydrangea can be planted in spring-approximately around April to the beginning of June. The soil will have warmed up adequately by this time for more efficient rooting growth/development. Planting it during spring allows the entire growing season to acclimate to a new environment when the climate is gentle and there is plenty of rain.
Although it is feasible to cultivate plants in fall, spring is usually preferred for planting. This minimizes the likelihood of exposing young plants to severe winter weather before they have had the opportunity to settle in.
Smooth hydrangeas can be planted in both the fall and spring.
In the spring, they are planted between April to June. It is because during this time the soil starts to warm up, and the development of roots takes place owing to the active growth phase of plants. Planting Smooth Hydrangea during spring allows it to establish before summer heating begins.
Fall planting also yields positive results by developing roots before winter which helps the plant's adaptability. However, spring is usually the more desirable season to plant since it allows a growing season leading to vibrant blossoms and robust foliage through the summer months.
Planting Oakleaf Hydrangea can be done in the fall, more correctly between September and November. By planting at this period of the year, a head start is given to the hydrangea to get its roots set before winter, therefore totally taking advantage of the season's weather and natural rainfall.
This technique minimizes shock and encourages healthier, lush growth come spring, complete with foliage and blossoms. While spring planting is possible, fall planting generally yields more robust plants that are well-equipped for the growing season ahead.
Panicle hydrangeas are often planted in the spring, between April and June. The warmth of the soil and sufficient rainfall during this season promote healthy plant growth.
By planting hydrangeas at this time they have the chance to establish themselves throughout the growing season before summer heat arrives. While fall planting is an option, spring planting is generally preferred as it encourages growth and abundant blooming during the summer months.
The best growth for climbing hydrangeas can always be achieved by planting them during the spring-between April and June. Such a season promotes the establishment of roots with temperatures and sufficient moisture.
Spring planting enhances growth because it hastens the process when hydrangeas attach themselves to their supports and start flowering.
While you can plant them in the fall, spring is generally the favored season for planting. This gives them a chance to acclimate and take root during the growing period before winter sets in which enhances their toughness.
Like most flowers, hydrangeas can be grown from their seeds and/or by propagating by cutting their branches.
Hydrangeas can be grown from their seeds too. The seeds of hydrangeas are very small. To begin collect the seeds from pods and ensure you clean and dry them well. You can also do stratification by soaking these seeds and refrigerating them to stimulate winter conditions.
When it is time for planting, they should be covered lightly with a mix of soil and kept moist. Hydrangeas like bigleaf hydrangeas and panicle hydrangeas can be grown from their seeds.
Hydrangeas are propagated from the branches most of the time. It is quite easy. First, you need to make cuts of about 4 to 6 inches from stems, each section having at least two nodes. Remove the leaves off that part of the stem, then dip the end in the rooting hormone to induce the roots to develop.
You can use rooting hormones to dip the cuttings. Then, find an appropriate place to plant them. After that, cover them with plastic bags around them. Later, when the roots have started to develop, replant the new hydrangea plants in your garden area.
The sapling of hydrangeas can be repotted in a larger pot or directly into your garden. The best time for this might be spring or early fall as the weather is mild and plant is dormant during this time.
Make sure the hole is deep and wide which can accommodate the plant's growth. You can keep them at an appropriate location that has ample sunlight.
Although hydrangeas are native to America and Asia, especially eastern Asia, they are globally popular and often be seen in gardens and backyards. These flowers are admired among flower enthusiasts due to their colors.
In addition to their beauty, these plants have long been utilized in folk medicine throughout East Asia. They are used to treat unitary tract infections, kidney problems, etc.
The flowers of hydrangeas are of a variety of colors. Most of the time, they are of blue, white, pink, and purple color.
Though we have mentioned the shades, let us give one interesting fact - soil acidity can change the color of most hydrangeas. Isn't that amazing? The acidic soils generally bear blue flowers, whereas the alkaline soils with higher pH bear red or pinkish-colored blooms.
The shapes and sizes of hydrangea leaves are round, oval, serrated, pointed, and elliptical among others. Their sizes also differ just like the flowers do.
The colors of the leaves depend on the type of hydrangea; they therefore occur as green, and purple, among other colors. Other shades are controlled by environmental influence.
The roots of hydrangeas are shallow. They grow wider, almost horizontally to the ground. How far they grow and spread will vary widely due to factors such as the condition of the soil, nutritional supply, weather conditions, and the age of the hydrangea plants.
Hydrangeas need soil that is drained. Most hydrangeas need around five hours of sunlight, however, need some shade during the intense heat. If the heat is too much, they would eventually start to wilt.
More importantly, hydrangeas have a preference for different kinds of pH: bigleaf and oakleaf types prefer acidic soil, while smooth and panicle hydrangeas grow well in more alkaline soils.
Just planting hydrangeas in your garden will not ensure their growth and survival. You need to better care of them so that you can encourage their growth and blooming.
There are a quite few things to be considered to take care of hydrangeas. Let us look into some of these, shall we?
We have tried to cover some information about the relationship between sunlight and hydrangeas in the previous section. In general, we would say that hydrangeas need an appropriate amount of sunlight, neither more nor less.
Some hydrangeas can withstand sunlight for quite longer than others, like panicle hydrangeas which can tolerate more than six hours of sunlight. However, for most hydrangeas, intense and prolonged sunlight is not good like for oakleaf hydrangeas, which can only stand sunlight for approximately 4 hours.
Plant hydrangeas in such a place that ensure enough sunlight in the morning and provide some shade in the afternoon. If the weather is hot and dry, provide artificial shading with various objects, cloth covers, etc. during such times to increase their survivability.
As we have already mentioned hydrangeas grow in well-draining soil, so the nutrients do not stay for too long and the plant roots will not be able to absorb most of it. This is the reason why fertilizers with a balanced proportion of sodium, potassium, and phosphorus should be applied.
However, great caution is needed not to overdo it, because too much results in plenty of leaves and stems but few flowers. Overfertilization is likewise unacceptable from an ecological point of view.
It is better to apply fertilizers between late spring and early fall. Furthermore, it is beneficial to explore fertilizers that release nutrients slowly over time. In addition, do not forget to water your hydrangeas after applying fertilizer to ease any potential discomfort caused by the application.
The soil quality and the water requirement for hydrangea have come a lot in this article. So, in brief, we would say that the hydrangeas dehydrate easily as they grow in well-drained soil and thus require at least three times watering each week.
Try watering your hydrangeas directly from their base. If you water your hydrangeas from the top, the water will accumulate on its flowers and can cause rotting and infections.
In addition, the drip irrigation system is quite helpful as this provides a small amount of water constantly. Moreover, watering the plants in the morning is ideal. It gives the moisture on the leaves and flowers enough time to dry out and also enhances photosynthesis.
As hydrangeas grow in well-draining soil, applying mulch plays a role in assisting hydrangeas to retain moisture and nutrients. Additionally, it slows down the evaporation of water from the soil helping to promote robust hydrangea growth.
Likewise, mulching provides cover and protection during extreme cold climates in the winter.
You can have decorative mulching or much by making a small cage around your hydrangeas. Using chopped or shredded plant materials like pine makes a good mulch and also repels various pests.
However, try to avoid diseased mulch or using pruned hydrangeas as mulch as this will spread diseases among your hydrangeas.
That is why, buy mulch from a certified seller to encourage the health of your hydrangeas.
Hydrangeas need pruning on a regular basis. If there are presence of deadheads and irregular or damaged branches in hydrangeas, the plant might spend its energy as well as nutrients for repairing them instead of focusing on its growth and flowering.
Thus, pruning promotes the channeling of vital nutrients and time to encourage new growth of buds and flowers. This also ensures proper air circulation and adequate sunlight, which is critical for hydrangeas' health.
To help your hydrangeas thrive, make sure to trim them during the winter or early spring months. If you cut them back before winter they may be vulnerable to harsh weather like freezing temps and frost.
In addition, try to use sterile, clean, and sharp pruners or loopers as this will prevent the introduction of various diseases to your hydrangeas. Get rid of suckers, dead flowers, and branches, and dispose of them securely.
Just like other plants hydrangeas can be vulnerable to pests and illnesses. Insects such as slugs, snails beetles, and aphids might indulge in their leaves and flowers even laying their eggs on them.
Similarly, issues like spots of rust and powdery mildew can tarnish the beauty of these blossoms.
A mixture of soap and water or a spray with essential oils can keep most pests away. You can manually pick them to get rid of them as well.
Additionally, fungicides can be used to mitigate the risk of various diseases. It's advisable to reserve synthetic fungicides for cases when a fungal infection becomes severe. However, in most situations, neem oil and apple cider vinegar prove to be quite effective in repelling these pests.
Most hydrangeas need a lot of extra attention during winter. As I have explained in the texts above, they are susceptible to extreme weather conditions in winter, which might injure them or cause their drying.
If you have come this far, you might have some ideas regarding the measures that can protect hydrangeas from different events during winter.
Measures like avoiding pruning before winter will make it less susceptible to cold and frost. Additionally, mulching is a good way of providing extra warmth to hydrangeas.
If you have hydrangeas in a pot, place them on places like the porch or near the windows where they can get some sunlight even during cooler temperatures.
