The Japanese hydrangea (Hydrangea serrata), also known as mountain hydrangea, has similar care requirements as its relatives. However, if you don't give it this, it won't bloom. However, we have made sure that this does not happen to you. Everything you need to know about hydrangea care can be found here!
There are about 75 different types of hydrangeas and many other varieties. A lesser-known species, but one that deserves your attention, is the hardy hydrangea. Due to its smaller growth, it is not only suitable for the garden, but also for a pot on the balcony. Under the right conditions, its delicate blue and pink flowers will delight your eye from July to October. So, you can find out here what is important when it comes to caring for the hydrangea!
Hydrangea care – what should you pay attention to?
Hydrangea serrata originally comes from the mountain forests of Japan. It grows as a sprawling subshrub and reaches a height of up to 1.5 meters. Unlike some of their relatives, whose flower heads consist only of false flowers, these hydrangeas also have numerous fruit-bearing flowers, making them a valuable food source for insects in summer. Here are the necessary conditions and care for your hydrangea to thrive!
Location and timing for planting
Both Hydrangea serrata and the closely related Hydrangea macrophylla (which is also often referred to as hydrangea) feel most at home in a partially shaded, wind-protected place in the garden or on the balcony. However, full shade is harmful to the plant and does not promote lush blooms. The hydrangea can tolerate full sun, but then you have to water it quite often as its leaves evaporate a lot of moisture. In general, you can grow hydrangeas all year round, but the ideal time is between March and June.
- A notice:All hydrangeas are known to be mildly toxic to humans and animals. So it's best to keep this shrub away from curious kittens and dogs.
What is the optimal location for hydrangeas in the garden, depending on the variety?Find out here!
Proper soil is crucial
Hydrangeas like humus and nutrient-rich soil with a pH between 4 and 6. This is because acidic soils facilitate the absorption of nutrients, especially iron, thereby preventing iron chlorosis, which is common in hydrangeas.
If the soil in your garden is sandy, alkaline and nutrient-poor, you need to enrich it with a suitable organic compost. We also advise you to loosen the soil when planting so that the fine roots of the Hydrangea serrata can quickly gain a foothold and absorb water. Remember to mix the excavated soil with acidified soil.
How to check the pH of your soilfind out here!
If you Thydrangea in a bucket or potIf you want to plant on your terrace or balcony, you need not only acidic soil but also the right planter. It must be large enough and have a drainage hole at the bottom so that excess water can drain away easily and does not cause the roots to become waterlogged.
Also remember that the soil must never dry out, regardless of whether you grow hydrangeas in a container or in the garden. You'll soon find out what the right hydrangea care is when it comes to watering!
This is how you can change the color of the ornamental shrub
Hydrangeas can change color depending on the pH value.
To achieve blue colors, the soil pH should be lower – aim for values around 5.5 and below. To do this, use a product labeled specifically for blue hydrangeas or aluminum sulfate, available at a garden center. These two products should be applied once in early spring and again in late spring.
If you want your hydrangea to bloom pink, you need to enrich the soil with garden lime. This should be applied twice a year, once in spring and again in autumn. A pH between 6 and 6.5 provides ideal conditions for pink flowers.
Also read:Overwintering hydrangeas in the bed: What care measures should you take?!
Hydrangea care – Provide with enough water
Like all hydrangeas, the plate hydrangea also needs a lot of water, especially when planted in a pot. Keep in mind that on hot summer days you may need to water the plant daily to meet its water needs.
However, be careful not to overwater them as this can cause root rot. A sign of overwatering is when Hydrangea serrata begins to wilt or the leaves fall off.
- Tipp:How do you know when is the right time to water? If the top layer of soil (4-5 cm) feels dry, it means that the mountain hydrangea needs water. Constant and even moisture is very important!
Since mountain hydrangeas are sometimes sensitive to lime, it would be optimal for them if you water them with rainwater. However, if you don't have a water carrier, low-lime tap water or acidified water with a small amount of peat is also suitable. We recommend that you water in the morning or evening when the sun and therefore evaporation are weak.
How much water do hydrangeas need to thrive and when is vinegar good for them?You can get the answers here!
Fertilize regularly between May and July
When they bud in spring, hydrangeas often have yellowing leaves, which is a sign of nutrient deficiency. Therefore, give your plants regular horn shavings or a commercial fertilizer for rhododendrons or hydrangeas between May and July. However, note that ordinary garden compost should not be used for any hydrangea varieties as it contains too much salt and lime and these nutrients are not suitable for the ornamental shrubs.
As for potted mountain hydrangeas - to meet their nutritional needs in the limited space of the pot, they require a continuous supply of nutrients and liquid hydrangea fertilizer is ideal for this.
Moderate pruning is important for hydrangea care
The requirements for pruning hydrangeas are different. Since the plate hydrangea does not grow very quickly or very tall, but rather spreads out, slight pruning is necessary. However, it is important to remember that excessive pruning can slow their growth and flowering. It is therefore generally sufficient to only remove the withered flowers and shoots. Look for dead wood and remove it by hand. This improves air circulation in the plant.
If you want to prune hydrangea to give it a better shape, first pay attention to buds forming on the branches. If there isn't one, feel free to trim. Use clean pruning shears and make nice cuts.
- A notice:Hydrangeas develop their flower buds in the previous year and should therefore not be cut back too much in spring. If you do this, it will not bloom because there will be nothing left of the buds.
Cutting hydrangeas – what mistakes should you definitely avoid?You can learn that here!
Signs that you are doing something wrong
Not only do hydrangeas fill every home and garden with magnificent blooms, they are also popular because they are relatively easy to care for. However, there are some signs that will show you that your hydrangea care is wrong.
- The yellowing of the leavescan be a sign of various problems - too much or too little water, nutrient deficiency or over-fertilization. We therefore recommend that you carefully care for your mountain hydrangea and follow the guidelines in this article.
- Laubfall:If your hydrangea's leaves fall off during the day but bloom again after sunset, there's no need to panic. This is a built-in protection that shrubs have in hot weather. If they don't revive, it's often a sign that you're not giving enough water. Remember to water deeply when the top few inches of soil are dry.
Conclusion: Hydrangea care is relatively easy as long as you ensure good soil, plenty of water, a regular supply of liquid fertilizer and moderate pruning in spring.Under these conditions, you can enjoy the beautiful flowers of your Hydrangea serrata for around 30 years.
