There are a wide variety of hydrangeas all with there own unique size, color, and growth habit. Hydrangeas tend to come in a wide range of colors from white to pink to blue. Most hydrangeas range between 4 feet and 12 feet. Although hydrangeas require a little bit of effort, once they bloom you will see that the effort has paid off. By following the guidelines listed below you will be sure to have the most beautiful blooming hydrangeas.

Site Selection
Choosing the right place to plant your hydrangea is one of the most important steps in achieving a beautiful bloom. Hydrangeas are greatly affected by everything from the pH of the soil to how windy the site is.

When planting your hydrangea pick a location that receives full sun to partial shade. Hydrangeas seem to perform the best with full morning sun and cool afternoon shade. Planting hydrangea in a protected area that does not receive strong winds will also benefit the result. High winds tend to dry out the soft foliage causing extreme stress. Hydrangeas can grow in a large array of soil types, but to ensure the best performance plant in soil that is moist and rich in organic matter. The pH of the soil does not affect the growth habit however; it does affect the color of the bloom. A low ph, mean high acid levels, will cause the bloom to be a shade of blue. Conversely, a high pH, due to low acid levels, will cause the flowers to be a shade of pink. This may cause problems when selecting a color because the soil in the pot may be a different pH than the soil in your yard. This will cause the flower color to differ from the expected color.

When and How to Plant
Since hydrangeas bloom on new growth, the best time to plant them is early fall. To begin, prepare the bed by amending the soil with matured compost. Then dig the hole roughly 24 inches wider than the root ball. The hole should be large enough to allow the roots to be spread out. Remove the hydrangea from its pot and loosen the matter roots. Place the shrub in the hole so that the crown is even with the soil. Before backfilling the hole, fan the roots out around the hole. Backfill the hole firming gently to remove and air pockets and to provide support. Finish by watering thoroughly.

Care
To ensure a stronger bloom, we recommend fertilizing twice a year, in early spring and late fall, with a slow release fertilizer. However, fertilizing before they are established will inhibit growth. Be sure not to over fertilize. Over fertilizing will cause the shrub to focus its growth on the foliage and not on flowering, this will causing the leaves to be lush and green but have an absence of blooms. Hydrangeas tend to be relatively resistant to most pests and disease. Since hydrangeas bloom on new growth some light pruning is required. For more information on pruning, check out our Hydrangea Pruning Guide on the Carroll Gardens website.