Demysti ed ® ® Jane Beggs-Joles & Stacey Hirvela | Proven Winners ColorChoice Shrubs | www.provenwinners-shrubs.com

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 ® Rio Hydrangea ® Hydrangea ® Incrediball Cityline Bobo Big- Panicle Smooth (also known as fl orist’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™ Hydrangea ™ Hydrangea ™ Gatsby’s Moon Gatsby’s Tuff Stuff Tuff

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 fl ower 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 di er 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; fl owers age, but only big-leaf fl owering habits: rather, it is in spring, when and mountain hydrangeas Panicle and smooth several days of warm can change their color in a hydrangeas fl ower 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). fl ower 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 fl ower 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 fl ower 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 fl ower on old the plant can still fl ower 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 Hydrangea Fun Fact • It is easier to change a all through the fall, winter, Big-leaf hydrangeas and hydrangea from pink to blue mountain hydrangeas are spring, in order to fl ower the than from blue to pink, but closely related and native to following summer. As a result, both endeavors involve mak- these plants will not fl ower if: the same region of Japan, but mountain hydrangeas have ing chemical applications in • They are pruned. Pruning better bud hardiness specific amounts at specific at any time will remove because they occur times. A soil test is necessary potential fl ower buds. in the mountains to determine the next step. where conditions • Pennies or nails in the soil will • They are browsed by deer, are harsher. which will eat the fl ower buds. not change the fl ower color!

Pruning Hydrangea Fun Fact • Avoid pruning reblooming hydrangeas and those that fl ower A hydrangea fl ower consists of on old wood, altogether. Instead, site these hydrangeas two different types of fl orets: the appropriately so they do not need to be pruned, and choose showy, papery fl owers are known varieties that do not get too big for their space. as sterile fl orets and serve only to attract pollinators; the tiny fertile • New-wood fl owering hydrangeas can be pruned each fl orets 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 fl orets; lacecaps mostly support the fl owers. of fertile fl orets. • Hydrangeas do not strictly require regular pruning. They will grow and fl ower well with nothing more than removal of spent fl owers and any dead wood each early spring. You are always welcome to contact us with questions – visit www.provenwinners.com/feedback. We’ll get back to you right away.