If you have planted hydrangeas in your garden, you may be wondering how the plants can produce large flowers and how you can extend the blooming period. Plants like hydrangeas can be very finicky, making it difficult to achieve consistently beautiful results. In the following article we will give you tips and tricks for lush hydrangea flowers!
Planting hydrangeas – good time
Spring or fall are good times to plant hydrangeas - when temperatures are warm. In the spring, you should wait to dig until the last frost has passed and the soil has thawed enough to be easily tilled. In autumn you should make sure that it is not too late, as a late frost could kill the plant. These ornamental shrubs are at their best between mid-summer and early October.
How to care for hydrangeas – proper watering
Hydrangeas are unanimous in their preference for moist conditions. Their botanical nameHydrangeacomes from the Greek words for “water” (hydra) and “vessel” (angeion) together. But how often should you water hydrangeas? Watch the leaves and you'll see what's going on. You can tell when a hydrangea plant needs water when the leaves start to droop. Wait until nightfall to see if they recover before watering, as the afternoon heat also causes the leaves to become limp. If you plant your hydrangea in the ground, it will need to be watered at least three times a week for the first few weeks to allow it to become established. Make sure that the soil in the garden does not become waterlogged.
Hydrangeas require special care when fertilizing. You can easily find out which nutrients are missing in your soil with a soil test. Once you get the results, you can start planning your diet. Once your shrubs are established, they don't need much additional care when it comes to feeding. Manure or compost, which is added to the soil around the base of the plant, is suitable for fertilizing hydrangeas. This method not only produces good results, but also promotes the development of the soil.
Phosphorus is an important nutrient for all flowering plants.The best fertilizer forflowering shrubs and trees is a fertilizer specifically designed for these plants. There are also slow release fertilizers. After August, hydrangeas should no longer be fertilized as they prepare for the dormant period.
Care tips for hydrangeas in the garden – location
Hydrangeas like morning or evening sun, so they should be planted in partial shade to maximize their blooming potential. Most hydrangeas are known to do better if they get some shade in the afternoon. While your shrubs may suffer from too much shade, too much sun can also kill them. The panicle hydrangea thrives in full light and only needs six hours a day to growmagnificent flowersto produce green foliage. The other species, on the other hand, do best with just four to six hours of sun per day in somewhat shady areas. A hydrangea plant will show signs of sunburn if it receives too much sun. In this case, your plant is saving energy by not producing flowers.
Cut back hydrangeas
If you prune your hydrangeas properly, they will bloom larger and more vigorously than they otherwise would.When pruningTiming is crucial for hydrangeas. Panicle hydrangeas bloom in summer on new shoots, the so-called “new wood”. Cut panicle hydrangeas back by half before spring growth begins. Pruning stimulates the growth of new shoots and thus increases flower production. All other hydrangeas, on the other hand, only produce flowers on the “old wood” (the shoots left over from the previous year) in late spring or early summer. These should be cut back soon after the flowering period has ended. If you put this off, you may have to miss out on blooms this year. Dead or damaged shoots can be removed at any time.
New hydrangea plants are easily propagated from cuttings obtained during pruning. Because hydrangea cuttings are easy to transplant, two plants can be produced from a single cutting.
Tips and tricks for lush hydrangea blooms – mulch
It is recommended to mulch the soil next to the bushes to retain moisture. Mulching around your plants has several benefits. A good layer of mulch helps keep weeds at bay. That may not seem like much, but the wild weed is quite aggressive when it comes to depriving other plants of water and nutrients. A layer of mulch also helps in hot weather. Keeping the soil moist with a layer of mulch during the hot summer months, when hydrangeas are in bloom, can help ensure your plant thrives.
Treat fungal diseases in a timely manner
Hydrangeas are susceptible to a variety of fungal diseases. This can be the result of a lack of air circulation, humid weather, or the accumulation of leaf litter at the base of the plant. If you notice symptoms of any disease, you should take care of your plant in a timely manner. As previously mentioned, if left untreated, fungal infections cannot just the flowersnot only damage your hydrangea plant, but also the rest of the plant.
