Growing and caring for hydrangeas made easy

In summer nothing is more beautiful in the garden than hydrangeas. Hydrangeas are available in a variety of colour options and different growth habits. There is a hydrangea to fit any garden space! If you’ve never had a hydrangea planted in your garden before and are curious about how it grows and tips to care for it, you’ve come to the right place! In today’s blog we will teach you some basic care tips to keep your hydrangeas healthy and happy for years to come. So grab your garden shovel, pull up a chair, and let’s dig in!

What are the different types of hydrangeas available to home gardeners?

Hydrangeas come in five main varieties with variations in each category. Knowing the differences between different hydrangeas can help you to know which one work best with your garden space. Here is a list of the five main categories of hydrangeas and their characteristics: 

Big leaf hydrangeas

Big leaf hydrangeas may be familiar to you if you’ve ever ordered a floral bouquet. They are also the most common type of hydrangea. They are often featured in many home gardens due to their brilliant blooms. Big leaf hydrangeas come in three varieties: Lacecap, Mountain, and Mophead hydrangeas. Hardy in zones 5-9, Big leaf hydrangeas prefer moist, well-draining soil. They do need protection during periods of extreme winter-like conditions. It is important to know that they are prone to problems with extreme cold. Extreme cold interrupts their blooming cycle the following summer. If they are not protected over winter, big leaf hydrangeas will put on a lot of leaf growth the following spring and summer. They will fail to produce those iconic blooms we all love.

Panicle hydrangeas

Panicle hydrangeas have large, cone-shaped blooms. The blooms appear white at first. Some may transition throughout the season to brilliant shades of pink. The leaves are a little less broad than the Big Leaf hydrangeas and are more pointed. They come in both larger and miniature versions. Also, they are good at handling difficult soil conditions. This includes clay as long as the soil has good drainage. Panicle hydrangeas are also available in bush or tree-like forms. This reason alone makes them adaptable to a large variety of garden landscapes!

Smooth hydrangeas

The most iconic of the smooth hydrangea family is the Annabelle hydrangea. Annabelle hydrangea adds a touch of grace and elegance to the garden because of its smooth white blooms. Smooth hydrangeas are adaptable to a wide variety of soil types. This includes difficult soils like clay as long as there is good drainage. Smooth hydrangeas prefer a few hours of morning sun and afternoon shade. They can range in height from 2 ft. to over 8ft tall. You can prune smooth hydrangeas to suit the garden space.

Oakleaf hydrangeas

Oakleaf hydrangeas have similar shape leaves to those of an oak tree. Native to North America, these hydrangeas have cone-shaped blooms and grow best in moist, well draining soil. They will grow in shade to part-sun and are hardy in zones 5-9. 

Climbing hydrangeas

Unlike bush-type hydrangeas, climbing hydrangeas grow on long woody vines. They will thrive best in part-shade with filtered light and are hardy in zones 4-8. They need very little maintenance. You will want to train them to climb a structure during their first couple of years of growing. After that, very little pruning if any is necessary.

When is the best time to plant hydrangeas?

To achieve success with your new hydrangea plant, aim to plant either in spring after the last frost or in early fall before any chance of frost. Plant your hydrangeas when the temperatures are less harsh. It will help the plant establish strong and healthy roots and prevent undue stress to the plant. You want to avoid planting in high heat and humidity or in frigid cold temperatures. This way your hydrangea can channel all its energy into setting down a healthy set of roots. Always remember, a stressed out plant is not a happy plant. Happy plants are the ones that will shine in your garden for years to come!

Where is the best place to plant hydrangeas in the garden?

Although hydrangeas are adaptable to a wide range of soil types, they do prefer soil that is well draining. Are you growing a hydrangea in an area that has heavy clay soil? Before planting your hydrangea, you may need to amend the soil with some compost or organic material to lighten it up a bit. Amending your soil will help to provide the proper drainage conditions for your hydrangea and keep it happy and healthy in its new environment. 

Choosing a location to plant your hydrangea

You want to keep in mind its growth habits so that you choose the best spot where your hydrangea can reach its full potential. Planting a large hydrangea in a small and crowded spot would be not be good. This is because the plant will compete with other neighbouring plants for nutrients and space to grow. Before you plant, consult the tag that came with your hydrangea. This way you can learn more about its growth habits. Also, you can do some quick research about your new plant before you go to the trouble of placing it in the garden. Taking these steps beforehand will save you the heartache of having a plant does not have enough room to grow. 

How do I plant a hydrangea?

When it comes to planting your new hydrangea, dig a hole in your garden that is twice the width of the pot and as deep as it is in. Next, place the plant into the hole so that the top of the root ball is at the same height as the surface of the soil. Once placed, you can begin to backfill the hole and add water. Wait until the plant has a chance to soak up some of the water and then continue to backfill and add water. Hydrangeas have a very shallow root system. To keep the roots from drying out, add some mulch around the base of the plant. Once you plant your hydrangea in your garden space, keep an eye on its water levels. This is especially true if you will be experiencing a period of dry conditions after planting. Hydrangeas like to grow in moist, well-draining soil. Giving your plant the right conditions it needs for survival will be key to keeping your hydrangea healthy and happy.

What if a hydrangea is root bound when pulled out of its container?

Sometimes when you get a new plant home from a nursery or garden centre, it may have lived in the pot too long before it arrived home with you. In this case, when you pull it out of its container, the roots may have become root bound. Root bound means that because the roots had nowhere to go and confined of the container, they have started to tangle around each other. When left too long to grow in a container this way, it can prove to be a little difficult when you go to plant it out in your garden. If you notice that your hydrangea is root bound, take a gardening knife and score the roots at the bottom of your plant to open them up a bit. You can also loosen them with your hands so that they have somewhere to branch out from once you have planted it in the ground. Doing so will help your hydrangea to set down a healthy set of roots and get established in its new home. 

How often do you water hydrangeas throughout the season?

If you have recently planted a new hydrangea into your garden, it will need plenty of water until it establishes itself in the new space. Once established, you do not have to be as diligent with your watering schedule. Since hydrangeas like to have moist soil to grow, in periods of drought-like conditions, give your plants a good dose of water once to twice weekly.

When should I fertilize my hydrangea?

When your hydrangea is in your garden, it is best to fertilize it in early spring. Certain varieties like Big Leaf and Smooth hydrangeas can enjoy a second application in mid-summer. Some gardeners will not choose to fertilize their hydrangeas at all. The choice is up to each gardener and their personal preferences. 

When and how is the best way to prune hydrangeas?

Not an easy question to answer by any means when it comes to hydrangeas! Before you prune, you need to know whether your hydrangea blooms on old or new wood. Prune at the wrong time, and you may interrupt the blooming cycle the following season. If your hydrangea blooms on branches that grew the previous season, this means that it blooms on old wood. By contrast, those that bloom on new wood will produce their new blooms on this season’s new growth. Some hydrangeas bloom on a combination of new and old wood. Doing some research on the type of hydrangea that you are growing ahead of time will help you to best determine the right time to prune. 

Varieties that bloom on new wood include both Panicle and Smooth hydrangeas. These hydrangeas are best pruned in late winter or early spring because they produce their blooms off of new growth. Varieties that bloom on old wood like Big Leaf and Oakleaf and those that bloom on a combination of old and new wood, prefer pruning after their blooming period has ended. 

Is it necessary to deadhead hydrangea blooms?

Some gardeners may choose to remove spent blooms. By doing so, you keep the foliage in place. Other gardeners may wish to keep the spent blooms in place to create some fall and winter interest in the garden. If you do choose to deadhead the spent blooms on your hydrangea, know that the process is very different than pruning. If done correctly, it will not affect the future production of blooms on your plant. To properly deadhead, aim to cut about 1/2 inch above the first set of leaves below your blooms. Remember that deadheading is not necessary with hydrangeas. It is up to the personal preferences of each individual gardener. 

Final thoughts

Hydrangeas are so easy-to-care for and maintenance free. They make a great option in the garden for those with busy schedules and new gardeners. We hope that the tips and tricks in today’s guide help you on your journey to becoming a successful hydrangea grower. Until next time gardening friends, if you haven’t done so already, try planting a hydrangea in your garden this summer. Trust us, you will not regret the decision while relaxing in your lawn chair admiring its beauty on a hot summer’s day!