Hortensia
| When to Plant: | |
| Spring |
| Blooms: | |
| Varies by type. Ranges from Late Spring to Fall. |
| Light Requirements: | |
| Partial Shade to Full Shade |
| Plant Height: | ||
| Varies by type. | ||
| Hardiness Zones: | |
| Varies by type. Find Your Zone |
| Planting Depth: | |
| Deep enough so that the crown is even with the ground level. |
| Plant Spacing: | |
| Varies by type. |
| Plant Type: | |
| Bare Root |
Hydrangeas are one of the most popular flowering shrubs available. There are several different types of hydrangeas that produce different foliage and bloom shapes.
The most common are: Mopheads and Lacecaps (macrophylla) - produce large, globe-shaped blooms. Oakleaf (quercifolia) provides unique fall color and oak leaf-shaped foliage with almost panicle shaped blooms. Panicle or Pee Gee (paniculata) produce cone shaped bloom heads that start out white and gradually turn color. Grandiflora (arborescens) or Snow hydrangea. Climbing hydrangeas (anomala).
Select a site that protects your plant from cold, drying winds. The flower color is affected by the amount of aluminum ions in the soil. Acidic soil with aluminum produces blue flowers. Soils with a pH greater than 6.0 produces pink.
Dig a hole in humus rich soil. Place roots in soil and cover so the plant sits in 2" of soil.
Water thoroughly at planting. Do not over water, especially in clay, as this can lead to root rot.
Mulch in late fall or early winter. Cover the crown and canes with 8" mulch (chopped and dried leaves). Mulching will ensure your plant with survive winter and provide essential nutrients to the soil.
Hydrangeas grow best if fertilized 1-2 times in summer. You can use organic soil additives such as manure or compost or a chemical fertilizer (10-10-10 works if applied twice during summer).
Prune macrophylla varieties in late summer. Prune quercifolia varieties in early spring. Prune Paniculata varieties in late winter to early spring. Prune arborescens varieties to the ground each winter or early spring. Cliimbing hydrangea can be pruned when needed to maintain.
