Let Hydrangeas Be Your Garden Showpiece

hydrangea flowering bush

A flowering Hydrangea is an eye catcher by itself. When you have an entire shrub blooming, it is a sight to behold with its gorgeous hues of blue, lavender, pink, red and white. They bloom during the late spring and summer and even into the fall, but they can be temperamental.

If you want to plant Hydrangeas, then you’ll want to make sure and do it correctly. Don’t be surprised if you go a season or two without blooms, but you can maximize the chances by following these tips.

When and Where to Plant Hydrangeas?

You want the plants to have a well-established root system before they bloom. They can be planted anytime of the year but an overcast or cooler day is best.

Macrophylla Hydrangea don’t like too much sun, especially that intense afternoon heat, so plant them in an area where they can get plenty of early morning sun, but not much in the afternoon. Panicle types can tolerate full sun while Arborescens Hydrangea can tolerate either sun or shade.

You might think planting them near a tree would be perfect because of the shade, but they may end up competing for nutrients. Instead, plant near your home, sheds, etc.

Taking Care of Your Hydrangeas

Once you have the Hydrangeas planted, you’ll want to keep them hydrated. Hydrangeas love water. Initially, water three times a week to encourage root growth and then drop it down to about an inch a week throughout the growing season. Keep the water in the ground and away from the flowers and leaves. Hydrangeas benefit from being planted in mulch.

Why Aren’t My Hydrangeas Blooming?

There are several different types of hydrangeas and each species has its own needs. Smooth and panicle hydrangeas need a year or two to develop their roots before they bloom. Climbing and Oakleaf Hydrangeas need more time before blooming. A good balanced fertilizer helps when applied between the months of April and July.

Many people are used to pruning their shrubs, but as long as hydrangeas have plenty of room to grow, you shouldn’t need to do much pruning. If you get a little overzealous with the shears, then you’ll end up taking off the buds and eliminating their chances of blooming at all. Most newer varieties of Hydrangea bloom on old and new growth so trimming will not harm their flowering potential.

Get Your Hydrangeas at Ekana

Ekana Nursery and Landscaping in Mendota has everything you need for your Hydrangeas. Let our experts answer any questions you may have on growing big beautiful Hydrangeas!

If you need anything from Mulch to fertilizer or more, then visit Ekana Nursery and Landscaping today.