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It can be said that no garden is complete without a hydrangea! With the plethora of varieties now available (and now in bloom!) it's easy to find one that suits your landscape and personality needs. That being said, finding out how to properly care for your particular hydrangea may seem like searching through an endless sea of information. But hydrangea care doesn't have to be complicated! Here are some key pointers to keep these standout plants at their very best.
AN INTRODUCTION
Hydrangeas make up a large extended family of shrubs that have become much more popular in recent years due to their reliability, and the striking shows of bloom they produce each season. The plants available in the Ottawa area are very hardy, and the varieties offered have increased because of successful hybridization. Hydrangeas are deciduous plants that produce small florets which group together with modified leaves to form flamboyant flowerheads. All hydrangeas will tolerate some shade, but require a good soil rich in humus that ideally, has a slightly acidic pH. Most hydrangeas are steady drinkers and require consistent moisture. There are four major families of hydrangea that are hardy in this region:
1) H. petiolaris - Climbing Hydrangea. This is a very slow-growing, woody vine that requires support, but will handsomely climb a trellis or simply the side of a house. Produces an abundance of white flower clusters in mid-summer.
2) H. arborescens - Annabelle Hydrangea. This is easily the hardiest of all the hydrangea varieties. It produces perfectly round, white flowerheads in late summer to early fall. It is also the most versatile of hydrangeas - it can be planted anywhere from full sun to full shade. If planted in heavy shade, the flowerheads will be tinged with green.
3) H. paniculata - consists of the Peegee Hydrangea and cultivars such as Pink Diamond, Pinky Winky, Snow Mountain and Limelight. Most plants in this family produce white flowers that mature to pink at varying points in the season. For example, Peegee and Snow Mountain flowers will be white, transitioning to pink in the fall. Pinky Winky and Pink Diamond flowers open white, then shortly after, graduate through shades of pink. Limelight is the exception - this plant produces unique lime green flowers that are quite striking.
4) H. macrophylla - Sometimes known as mophead hydrangeas, this group includes Endless Summer, Blushing Bride and Twist n' Shout. All of the cultivars in this family can have their flower colour modified by altering the pH of the soil in which they are planted. Acidic soil (created by adding aluminum sulphate) will produce bright blue blooms. Alkaline soil (created by adding dolomitic lime) will produce rosey-pink flowers. If the soil is left untreated, these hydrangeas will revert to an ivory-mauve colour.
GENERAL CARE
For all varieties (1-4), annually topdress the soil with good compost and supply with a light general fertilizer mid-season. As mentioned above, be sure to provide consistent moisture, especially for the first season.
Limelights should receive a fertilizer with a fair amount of nitrogen for best flower colour.
For the macrophylla varieties (#4), the soil should be treated three times a year (spring, summer and fall) with either aluminum sulphate or dolomitic lime to ensure best colour. Simply mix the recommended amount into the top few inches of soil.
PRUNING
Macrophylla varieties (#4) produce flowers on both old and new wood, and are best left alone. Simply deadhead spent blooms throughout the season to encourage new buds.
The paniculata and arborescens (#2-3) are more tolerant of general pruning, and actually require it for best flower production. Again, the spent flowers should be removed throughout the season, but especially before the first snowfall. A heavy load of snow will weigh down the blooms and may cause the branches to split. A more vigorous pruning should be done in the spring - branches can be cut back by about 2/3. The plant will respond to spring pruning by releasing stimulants that develop into more shoots and flowers. These varieties bear flowers on new growth only.
CREATIVE TIP
Once removed, old flowerheads can be left to dry and used in arrangements (spray with hairspray to maintain shape and reduce droppings). The dried flowers, especially those from Annabelle hydrangeas, make great Christmas decorations - simply spray with gold and silver paint for a glistening effect.