Are You In Love With This Type Of Hydrangea?

The big leaf/macrophylla hydrangeas can be confusing! Not only do they have this new “wood”/old “wood” thing but they also have their fussy demands about temperature (not to cold or the buds will freeze), soil (they like it acidic and rich, well-drained soil), moisture (they need a considerable amount of water), and light (not too sunny but at least 3 or 4 hours—but not too much in the afternoon).

If you cut down those stalks and they have buds on them, you are cutting off the flowers. UNLESS: they are hybrids like an Endless Summer. Those tend to bloom on both the stalks from the prior year AND the current year. They are bred this way as a way to extend the bloom season. Having said that, you should remove the DEAD ones (they are typically lighter color and have no buds on them) so light and air can get in there and the new growth can emerge off the base. You don’t necessarily need to do this EVERY year but they can get really clogged up in there and should be removed periodically.

In other words: high maintenance divas!🤣 How about an oakleaf, arborescens (annabelle, Incrediball, etc), or a panicle (limelight, etc)? Having said that, I know there are so many people out there who love their big leaf hydrangeas in colder climates and I totally get that because they’re gorgeous when they’re in bloom! Any addicts out there?😁

Video done by my client Maura

#youcandoitgardening

[JackieOgle]

I had no idea! I assumed they were easy to grow and keep!