Quick Guide - How to grow Hydrangea
Name - Hydrangea, also known as Hortensia. Blooms will beautiful exploding blossoms in July
Location - good for garden. Can also be planted in a container.
Light - grows best in sunny or semi-shady spots
Temperature - hydrangea goes dormant during the winter, and blooms in July. The best temperatures to start the plant is 65°F (18°C). When temperatures go higher the plant will start blooming. In winter all hydrangea varieties survive temperatures of above 0°F (-17°C). (Hardiness zones: for some of the varieties up to zone 4. Most common types fall in zone 6-7.)
Watering - keep soil well drained but moist. If the soil goes dry, water it.
Soil - rich fertile humusy soils. Mulching helps to keep the soil moist. The acidity of the soil boosts the color of the blossoms - acidic soil brings blue, and alkaline soil turns blossoms pink. The color also depends on the type of hydrangea you have, but adjusting the soil will enhance its color. Add lime for pink or peat moss or other acidic matter for blue.
Fertilizing - fertilize hydrangea with a 10-10-10 fertilizer twice during late spring and summer. Do not fertilize after August as the plant needs time to prepare for dormancy during the winter. If you live in a warmer place fertilize once in end of May, and once more in July. Otherwise fertilize once in June, and once in July. Use less fertilizer if your plant is in a container. As a rule go on the "slightly less fertilizer" side with the hydrangea.
Propagation - can be propagated from cuttings in the spring
Additional care
- remove the old blossoms and leaves to stimulate new blooming and growth and to keep the flower neat and beautiful.
- when planted in the garden hydrangea will survive frosts (esp. the hardiest varieties) as they will go dormant. If you are going to grow them in a container, you may need to protect your plants from frost as you bring them indoors, at a cool shady place
- although the color of the blossom is determined by the variety of hydrangea you have, the color can be changed using different types of soil additives (see soil section above)
Name - Hydrangea, also known as Hortensia. Blooms will beautiful exploding blossoms in July
Location - good for garden. Can also be planted in a container.
Light - grows best in sunny or semi-shady spots
Temperature - hydrangea goes dormant during the winter, and blooms in July. The best temperatures to start the plant is 65°F (18°C). When temperatures go higher the plant will start blooming. In winter all hydrangea varieties survive temperatures of above 0°F (-17°C). (Hardiness zones: for some of the varieties up to zone 4. Most common types fall in zone 6-7.)
Watering - keep soil well drained but moist. If the soil goes dry, water it.
Soil - rich fertile humusy soils. Mulching helps to keep the soil moist. The acidity of the soil boosts the color of the blossoms - acidic soil brings blue, and alkaline soil turns blossoms pink. The color also depends on the type of hydrangea you have, but adjusting the soil will enhance its color. Add lime for pink or peat moss or other acidic matter for blue.
Fertilizing - fertilize hydrangea with a 10-10-10 fertilizer twice during late spring and summer. Do not fertilize after August as the plant needs time to prepare for dormancy during the winter. If you live in a warmer place fertilize once in end of May, and once more in July. Otherwise fertilize once in June, and once in July. Use less fertilizer if your plant is in a container. As a rule go on the "slightly less fertilizer" side with the hydrangea.
Propagation - can be propagated from cuttings in the spring
Additional care
- remove the old blossoms and leaves to stimulate new blooming and growth and to keep the flower neat and beautiful.
- when planted in the garden hydrangea will survive frosts (esp. the hardiest varieties) as they will go dormant. If you are going to grow them in a container, you may need to protect your plants from frost as you bring them indoors, at a cool shady place
- although the color of the blossom is determined by the variety of hydrangea you have, the color can be changed using different types of soil additives (see soil section above)
