Hydrangea Cultural Info

Hydrangea Cultural Info SOIL & MOISTURE PREFERENCES In general, hydrangeas like to grow in a humus rich soil that is moist, but well drained (not soggy). LIGHT Although hydrangeas thrive in dappled sun, or full sun in the morning with afternoon shade, most varieties will also grow very well in full sun as long as they are given ample amounts of water. FLOWER COLOR Most hydrangea macrophylla and hydrangea serrata varieties are excellent ph indicators letting us know if our soil is acid or alkaline. Would you like to change your pink flowers to blue or your blue flowers to pink ? If the variety you have is ph sensitive, you can add aluminum sulfate to acidify your soil for blue flowers, or lime to make your soil alkaline for pink blossoms. If the soil has a neutral ph, the flowers will have a purple color. NO FLOWERS Most often this is only a problem with hydrangeas macrophylla, quercifolia, and serrata. Following are several reasons why your hydrangeas may not produce flowers. The plant is not getting enough sunlight. Although they like dappled sunlight or morning sun with afternoon shade, if a hydrangea is primarily in shade most of the day, it will produce few flowers. The plant was not trimmed at the correct time of year or was cut back too far. See chart on reverse side for more info on trimming hydrangeas. The plant is exposed to too much cold weather in the winter and early spring, causing the stems to die back or flower buds to freeze. Try wrapping the shrub with a cage made of burlap and wooden stakes. Fill it with leaves or loose straw to give added insulation throughout the cold winter months. Also, in the spring when it begins to warm up, the plants will start pushing their new growth. When followed by freezing temperatures or heavy frosts, tender flower buds that have just started to open can freeze and die. Only remove the protection after you are fairly certain there won’t be any late freezes. The plant may have an imbalance of available nutrients. Make sure you aren’t feeding your hydrangea with a fertilizer that is too high in nitrogen. Nitrogen is the first number listed in the N-P-K ratio on all fertilizers. Some of the most commonly used fertilizers (the ones that turn the water blue) are often very high in nitrogen depending on the formulation that you buy. Too much nitrogen will cause a plant to put most of its energy into stem and leaf growth, sacrificing the production of flower buds. Instead, look for a fertilizer labeled for flowering plants that is higher in phosphorus. Phosphorus is the middle number in the N-P-K ratio and it helps to promote formation of flower buds. Do not, however, be tempted to add super high amounts of Phosphorus to your soil. Remember, a proper balance of plant nutrients is the key. Always read and follow the product labels for how much fertilizer to use and how often to apply it. If you don’t know what nutrients are available in your soil, it’s always best to test the soil first because too much of any nutrient is not good for your plants. Hydrangea Pruning Guide 2999 State Route 890, Sunbury, PA 17801 570-286-4377 lloydslandscapes.com email: [email protected] PA002715 Hydrangea Common Sample Bud When to Hardiness Light Species Name Varieties Formation Prune Zone Requirements H. macrophylla Big Leaf Hydrangea Nikko, Dooley, old wood spring, after new 5(6)-9 part shade Expression, growth pushes to full sun Forever Pink All Summer Beauty H. quercifolia Oakleaf Hydrangea Snow Queen, old wood late summer, as soon 5-9 full sun to Snowflake terminal bud as flowering is finished light shade H. paniculata Domed Hydrangea Bombshell, new wood winter or 3-8 part sun Fire & Ice, early spring to full sun Limelight, Pee Gee H.H. anomala Climbing Hydrangea Petiolaris old wood winter or 4-7 part shade to early spring near full sun Schizophragma Japanese Climbing Pink old wood winter or 4-7 part shade to hydrangeoides Hydrangea early spring near full sun H.H. aborescens Smooth Hydrangea Annabelle, new wood winter or 3-9 morning sun White Dome early spring afternoon shade Incrediball H. serrata Mountain Hydrangea Bluebird, old wood spring, after new 5(6)-9 some shade Preziosa growth pushes .

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