Demystified Soares Garden Nursery 1021 Sandwich Road East Falmouth, MA 02536 508-548-5288

Hydrangea Fun Fact There are about 49 species Identify your hydrangeas. of hydrangeas. Four species are native to North America, There are six main types of hydrangeas including smooth and oakleaf hydrangea. commonly grown in North American gardens. Hydrangea

Hydrangea

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® Hydrangea

® Incrediball Cityline Bobo Big- Panicle Smooth (also known as florist’s hydrangea, (also known as peegee hydrangea) (also known as Annabelle hydrangea) hortensia, mophead, or lacecap) Hydrangea paniculata Hydrangea arborescens Hydrangea macrophylla Hardy to USDA zone 3 Hardy to USDA zone 3 Hardy to USDA zone 5 Proven Winners® varieties: Proven Winners® varieties: Proven Winners® varieties: Bobo®, Fire Light™, ‘Limelight,’ Little Lime™, Incrediball®, Invincibelle® Spirit, Abracadabra® series, Cityline® series, ‘Little Lamb,’ Pinky Winky®, Quick Fire® White Dome® Edgy® series, Let’s Dance® series, Paraplu™, Pink Shira™ H ydrangea ™ Hydrangea

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Hydrangea petiolaris Hydrangea petiolaris Mountain Oakleaf Hydrangea serrata Hydrangea quercifolia Climbing Hardy to USDA zone 5 Hardy to USDA zone 5 Hydrangea petiolaris Proven Winners® varieties: Proven Winners® varieties: Hardy to USDA zone 4 Tuff Stuff™, Tiny Tuff Stuff™ Gatsby™ series

All hydrangeas have similar cultural needs, requiring: • Moist but well-drained soil (hydrangeas will not tolerate wet feet – ever!) • Some sun each day. Most people think of hydrangeas as shade , but they look and flower best with at least 4 hours of sun, ideally in the morning. Panicle hydrangeas are the most sun tolerant, and can take full sun in northern climates. Hydrangea Fun Fact • Plenty of water, especially as they are Hydrangeas are notoriously water-needy, but getting established. Hydrangeas have the “hydra” part of their name actually refers shallow roots, so they dry out quickly. A to the seed capsules’ resemblance to ancient 2-3” thick layer of shredded bark mulch is a Greek water-carrying vessels. useful addition to any hydrangea planting. It is the ways in which these six hydrangeas differ that make them confusing. Flowering Color The trickiest thing about • They are damaged by All hydrangeas undergo hydrangeas is that different weather. Winter weather some color change as their types have different isn’t actually the problem; age, but only big-leaf flowering habits: rather, it is in spring, when and mountain hydrangeas Panicle and smooth several days of warm can change their color in a hydrangeas flower on new temperatures are followed predictable, controllable way. wood (growth created in by a sudden freeze, that It is not the pH of the soil the current season). Flower flower buds are most likely that is responsible for this buds on these hydrangeas to be damaged. change – it is actually the form after the leafs out Reblooming hydrangeas, presence of aluminum in the in spring, and open a few also known as remontant soil that does it. months later in summer. As hydrangeas, are types of big • Certain varieties of big- a result, these plants flower leaf and mountain hydrangeas leaf hydrangeas cannot reliably each year, no matter that have the unique ability experience color change how cold the winter was. to flower on both old and new – generally speaking, the Big leaf, mountain, wood. Even if the buds are more intense the color, the oakleaf, and climbing damaged in winter weather, less likely it can change hydrangeas flower on old the plant can still flower on (Cityline® Paris hydrangea wood (growth created in the wood it produces that season. is a good example). previous season). Flower buds Reblooming hydrangea Similarly, white varieties of on these hydrangeas begin varieties include the Let’s big-leaf hydrangea will not to form in late summer and Dance series, and Tuff Stuff. change color. must remain undisturbed • It is easier to change a all through the fall, winter, Hydrangea Fun Fact hydrangea from pink to spring, in order to flower the Big-leaf hydrangeas and blue than from blue to mountain hydrangeas are following summer. As a result, pink, but both endeavors these plants will not flower if: closely related and native to the same region of Japan, but involve frequent, well-timed • They are pruned. Pruning mountain hydrangeas have applications of aluminum at any time will remove better bud hardiness sulfate or that can become potential flower buds. because they occur toxic to the plant, so are in the mountains not recommended. • They are browsed by deer, where conditions • Pennies or nails in the soil will which will eat the flower buds. are harsher. not change the flower color!

Pruning Hydrangea Fun Fact • Avoid pruning reblooming hydrangeas and those that flower A hydrangea flower consists of on old wood, altogether. Instead, site these hydrangeas two different types of florets: the appropriately so they do not need to be pruned, and choose showy, papery flowers are known varieties that do not get too big for their space. as sterile florets and serve only to attract pollinators; the tiny fertile • New-wood flowering hydrangeas can be pruned each florets are where pollination and early spring, just as the new growth begins to emerge. seed-set take place. Mophead Remove up to one-third of the height each year if desired hydrangeas are comprised mostly to encourage vigorous new growth and strong stems to of sterile florets; lacecaps mostly support the flowers. of fertile florets. • Hydrangeas do not strictly require regular pruning. They will grow and flower well with nothing more than removal of You are always welcome to spent flowers and any dead wood each early spring. contact us with questions – visit www.provenwinners.com/feedback. We’ll get back to you right away.