Everyone Loves Big Blue Hydrangea Flowers
They grow as large garden shrubs, small trees, climbing vines and even potted plants. They are sought after for wedding bouquets and dried flowers for decorative wreaths. Hydrangeas are easy to care for and will grow and bloom for years if you start them off in the right soil and with the right amount of sun, but doing a bit of research first will ensure that you are happy with the resulting flowers.
I'm new to growing hydrangeas, but I have successfully propogated one from a large bush. I now watch each season as the snow melts away to see what the new little shrub will do. I've had to learn about pruning and drying the flowers as well as how to keep them from wilting as cut flowers. That's a biggie! And if you know the secret to preventing wilt, you can stop being afraid of bringing a nice bouquet inside your home to enjoy. After all, the shrubs bloom profusely and they won't look any worse from being trimmed.
Read on, and if you have any useful related information, please leave a comment at the end of this page. Happy gardening!
Contents at a Glance
Buying Hydrangea Shrubs For the Yard
Blooming shrubs let you know what you are getting
When shopping for hydrangeas buy a potted shrub that is blooming. It's the easiest way to be sure you will get the type of flower preferred. Be aware that the color of the flowers could change by next season depending on the type of soil in your yard. A picture shown on a tag might not match what you'll see when your bush produces flowers.In general it's a good idea to plant or transplant on a cloudy day or at least when it's not extremely hot. Plant at the same depth as in the pot and I add Bonemeal mixed into the dirt in the hole for assuring a healthy root system. Well rotted compost can also be mixed into the dirt.
Always be sure to give the new plant lots of water right after planting and continue to water as often as needed, depending on the amount of rain you get.
Another option is to add liquid fish fertilizer mixed with water as directed on the bottle for adding nutrients. I am an organic gardener, but there are other store bought, slow release fertilizers available too.
The Nikko Blue Bush is A Favorite
Bloom color will change according to the soil pH
Hydrangea Nikko Blue macrophylla - Bigleaf-A Top Seller 4 inch pot
Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 05/30/2012)
If this plant is grown in a soil pH of 6 the blooms will vary from dark pink to deep blue. Read more in the description on the product page. This one ships from Sandy's Nursery online.
A Colorful Garden Bouquet
Learn how to make your hydrangea cuttings last!
My landlady loves hydrangeas and she must love lilies as well, because the yard has many of both.
The hydrangeas are naturally blue, but some lavender and whitish colors show up as well.
The lilies are the tall orange ones that are everywhere in this area in summer, but she also has gorgeous yellow ones along the front of the house.
This bouquet won't last long in reality - the photo image lasts much longer! Because day lilies last only a day and hydrangeas fade quickly once they are cut unless you process them correctly.
Stop The Wilt! Hot Water is The Secret
Don't be afraid to cut your hydrangea flowers for bouquets
If you are afraid to cut your hydrangea flowers to make a pretty indoor bouquet, you are not alone! I stopped cutting them because too many times they died within a day. Now I've read about, and tried, the method shown here, and it works! I read about a few different methods for keeping hydrangeas looking nice once they are cut and I decided to try the "hot water" method in the summer of 2010.To make a nice hydrangea bouquet that will last, follow these important steps:
- Take a bucket of cold water to the garden when cutting hydrangeas.
- Add the flowers to the bucket of water as you cut.
- Once inside, trim them to the length you want and add the stems to a container of very hot water and leave them there for about 10 minutes.
- If you have to re-cut the stems you will need to repeat the hot water process so try to cut them to the desired length the first time.
This method will clear the stems of the sticky stuff that keeps the water from flowing up to the bloom. (Like my scientific explanation?) Apparently this is why my some of my hydrangeas would die within one day of cutting them.
This method worked for me. My vase of hydrangeas was beautiful for days. They lasted just as long as I would expect any fresh cut flower to last and will continue to use the hot water whenever I cut them for inside.
Propagating: Ground Root Layering
I have successfully used this method to start a new little plant.
Hydrangea shrubs usually have many low hanging branches which can be set just under the soil while remaining attached to the main plant and will grow new roots to make a new little plant!
Place a rock or heavy object on top of the stem area that is buried, to keep the stem beneath the dirt, and just leave it. Do this in Spring or early summer and if the plant is budding, choose a branch without a flower bud.
After a while (don't be in a hurry - it will take a while) the branch will have developed it's own root system and can be cut from the main plant, dug up carefully - take lots of dirt with the root area - and replanted in the yard or a pot.
**TIP: A good idea that I came across at the Hydrangea Hydrangea site says to leave the "baby" plant in the ground for a while after cutting the stem to separate it from the main plant so it will have time to adjust to growing on it's own before moving it to a new location.
You can also propagate by taking cuttings from the top of the stems and rooting them in pots. The Nantucket Hydrangea page has excellent photos for step by step advice for doing this.
My New Little Shrub
Beginning to grow in Spring 2010
This plant came from my efforts to propagate by the "rock on a low branch" method - (See the diagram above).In the Fall of 2009 I cut the stem of the branch I was rooting and then dug up the section with the roots and moved it to another area of the yard.
I kept it watered to help the roots become established before winter hit.
It is now the beginning of April (2010) and finally the snow has melted away from the spot I had planted this new little shrub and I can see that it is shooting up some little leaves!
I am so excited.
If we are careful, and the dogs and boys don't trample it, I might have a new gorgeous hydrangea plant soon! (See the update below)
The New Plant In Summer of 2010
My little hydrangea cutting is growing!
I was so excited to see all the nice growth on the propagated plant from the year before. This new hydrangea plant, taken from the big one in the front yard, has sprouted two long stalks. Although it never bloomed, I hope that I may see some flowers next year. I did not prune it at all and it was covered with many feet of snow all winter.(2011 Update below)
The New Hydrangea Shrub, Spring 2011
How's It Doing Now?
Starting New Plants From Old
When To Transplant a Hydrangea Shrub
Give your bushes the best start by following these tips.
In general, transplanting should be done when the shrub is not in bloom and not doing a lot of growing. Early summer, after the chance of frosts has passed, or late Fall would be best. A dormant plant has a better job of establishing it's roots when it's not using all it's energy for growing blooms.Always plant hydrangeas in sunny locations and not under trees where their roots will compete with the tree roots and the shade will inhibit blooms.
When digging up a plant to move, choose one that is smaller and manageable. Dig way out around the root area and take lots of the surrounding dirt to add to the new hole, which should also be large.
And don't forget to give it a good soaking. Any plant that has just been planted or transplanted needs water, so run a hose at a trickle and let it soak down into the roots right after transplanting.
Keep an eye on the new plant and make sure it doesn't begin to wither from lack of water, but don't over do it or the roots will rot.
Hydrangeas are beginning to grow leaves, but the snow comes anyway ~ April 2010
How To Turn Hydrangea Blooms Blue
The soil must be acidic
I am fortunate to have blue blooms on my shrub naturally, which means the soil around my hydrangea must be naturally acidic.But if you want your pink blooms to become blue it means you must add amendments to the soil.
In this case - to create blue flowers - add aluminum sulfate and use a high potassium fertilizer.
If your soil is just too alkaline it might be best to grow hydrangeas in large pots for easier control of the soil they use.
Read more very helpful information on this subject at the "Changing the Color of Hydrangeas" website.
Soil Testing Kits Help You Manage Your Hydrangea Colors
Inexpensive and easy to use.
Luster Leaf 1601 Rapitest Soil Test Kit
Amazon Price: $11.00 (as of 05/29/2012)
Once you know the acidity of your soil you can work to improve or change it by adding certain enhancements.
Find Your Planting Zone
by typing in your zip code at The Backyard Gardener site.
Lacecap Variety
A distinctive bloom with tiny flowers filling the center.
Photo credit: roganjosh @ morgueFile
Pruning Hydrangeas
Generally, they don't need pruning.
For certain varieties, the new growth comes from the woody stalks in Spring.
(See photo below)
Bare Branches of a Hydrangea Shrub in Spring
Pruning and Trimming The Shrub
Depending on the type of hydrangea you grow, some won't need pruning.
In general, it seems that hydrangeas don't have to be pruned. Deadheading, or removing dead flowers - up close to the flower, can be done at any time and since hydrangea shrubs grow to be quite large depending on the type, the only pruning needed would be for space or to remove dead branches.In fact, pruning or cutting long flower stems at the wrong time of year can cause the bush to not bloom at all the following year - IF your variety blooms off the old wood.
"Old wood" means the stems that were growing last year. They will look brown and woody.
"New wood" means the new growth that began growing this season. It will be green and fresh looking.
To read more visit the "pruning made easy" page at the HydrangeaHydrangea site.
Growing "Endless Summer"
With a link and a discount coupon when ordering online.
Identify Which Type(s) of Hydrangea You Have
Did you know that there are many varieties?
All of my hydrangea photos came from a Mophead variety. The mopheads will be blue or pink usually and occasionally white, but most often the white ones are another variety.
If you aren't sure what is growing in your yard, check out this excellent site that shows each type of flower and describes the leaves as well.
“Be sure to help your
Hydrangea stay healthy by
watering often - especially
when in bloom.”
Dried Flowers
My personal experience with drying hydrangea cuttings.
I once had a large hydrangea tree, probably a Pee Gee, which had small, white flowers and they dried up nicely on the tree becoming shades of pink and tan.The only shrub in the yard of this house I rent, has gorgeous blue - and sometimes pink and green - blooms. Drying them has taken some trial and error, but I think I have found the secret.
Most sites that talk about drying hydrangeas say that choosing the correct time of year to cut them makes a difference in the success of drying.
In the northeastern US, where I live, September seems to be a good time to try this. We had frosts and freezes in October and the flowers will turn brown and be too ugly to dry. BUT, I've also read that cutting a hydrangea after August can remove the bud set for the following year.
So I am still confused, but I'll try it anyway and just cut a few to dry even though it's August.
I think the secret is to water the shrub really well - wait a day or so and THEN cut the flowers to hang. If you start with flowers from a thirsty plant the flowers won't dry as nicely OR it could have something to do with the substance in the stem that sometimes keeps them from lasting as cut flowers.
Hanging Upside Down to Dry
Various Methods for Drying Hydrangea Blooms
A list of some options I've found
Water drying hydrangeas is the best method according to this site: How to Dry Hydrangea Flowers. It says to cut the flowers and put them in water until the water is gone and the bloom is naturally dried. I have never done this. In fact when I cut my blue ones and put them in water they just fade eventually and look bad. Not like the type of flower I'd like to keep. They use white flowers as an example so maybe this makes a difference.
This Hydrangea site called "Hydrangea Hydrangea" describes in detail drying methods using silica gel and a borax and cornmeal solution.
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Do you grow hydrangeas?
Anyone can comment ...I'd love to hear from you.
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neophile
Nov 23, 2011 @ 10:41 pm | delete
- I like the green ones. Here'a a great picture of some hydrangea wedding arrangement with some red roses.
http://hydrangeaweddingcenterpieces.net/hydrangea-floral-wedding-centerpieces.jpg
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PMCustomWeddings
Aug 9, 2011 @ 11:28 pm | delete
- Thanks for all of your helpful tips on caring for hydrangeas! I really want to plant some in my yard, but I knew I had a bit to learn first! Great lens :)
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KarenCookieJar
Jul 30, 2011 @ 6:54 am | delete
- I love Hydrangeas, but my bush died after a trimming. I hope to get another soon.
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kiwinana71
Jul 22, 2011 @ 10:25 pm | delete
- I love gardening and enjoy hydrangeas. I do not know if this is true, but my father would never allow a hydrangea in the house, because he said that every time they were in the house my mother got sick. Can anyone else relate to this? Thanks for a nice lens, enjoyed it very much.
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---Chazz Jul 12, 2011 @ 8:06 pm | delete
- The paniculatas are best here. The newer macros don't survive the winters but a couple of very old (and huge) ones in our yard are indestructable. Something to be said for Less Hybridization, I guess. Enjoyed your lens. Blessed by the perennial gardening angel and added to our lensography of some of the best lenses in our neighborhoods.
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Test Your Soil pH Instantly
With a hand held, easy to read, tester
Luster Leaf 1847 Rapitest Digital PLUS Soil pH Meter
Amazon Price: $18.36 (as of 05/29/2012)
Hand held, digital read out lets you know instantly the ph levels around your yard and garden area.
Complete Hydrangeas Book
Has color photographs on every page.
Complete Hydrangeas
Amazon Price: $16.43 (as of 05/29/2012)
Highlights the varieties and ways to use hydrangeas as decorative accents in the yard.
Turn Hydrangeas Blue
Bonide #705 4LB Aluminum Sulfate
Amazon Price: $6.55 (as of 05/30/2012)
Use this to add acidity to the soil when growing acid loving plants such as azaleas, rhododendrons, gardenias and more. Also turns some types of hydrangea blooms blue.
