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Hydrangea Plant

Hydrangea Plant

The Hydrangea plant is one of the most popular plants for producing large snowball flowers.

Hydrangeas are easy to grow and to care for, as they are typically cold hardy and pretty much pest and disease free but they do like some afternoon shade during the hot summer months.

The Hydrangea plant likes moist, well drained soil so adding a thick layer of mulch will help retain moister.

 

Growing Hydrangeas in Containers

Growing Hydrangeas in containers

Hydrangeas make a nice focal point on a deck, patio or on a stand in your yard. Growing Hydrangeas in containers is easy but the soil needs to stay moist.  The containers can get heavy with the dirt, plant and water so it might be best to find a pot with wheels so you can easily move it around. 

You will want to protect it during the winter by either moving it into your basement or unheated garage or if leaving it outside, you may want to cover it to protect it from the cold harsh winds.


Hydrangea Plant Varieties

There are about 70 – 75 different varieties of Hydrangea plants to choose from. Below I have 4 varieties, 2 that bloom on new wood and 2 that bloom on old wood. The difference in when to prune them so you don’t lose the flowers for next year.

Annabelle Hydrangea

Annabelle Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle') – Growing quickly to 5 feet tall and wide, Annabelle Hydrangea will get very large white flowers (up to 12 inches across!) from late spring to fall and it only needs 4 to 6 hours of sun per day. Flowers bloom on new wood so pruning can be done during the winter months or very early spring.


PeeGee Hydrangea

PeeGee Hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata 'Grandiflora') – Similar to Annabelle Hydrangea, PeeGee Hydrangea is a fast growing (sometimes more than 24 inches per year) deciduous shrub that gets large (sometimes up to 12 – 18 inches) white flowers. It can also be grow as a small tree if the lower stems are removed when the plant is still young. Flowers bloom on new wood so pruning can be done during the winter months.


Preziosa Mountain Hydrangea

Preziosa Mountain Hydrangea (Hydrangea serrata ‘Preziosa’) – With pale pink to mature reddish purple flowers the Preziosa Mountain Hydrangea will grow to about 4 feet tall and wide. Like most Hydrangeas, it prefers part shade but can be grown in full sun if kept moist. Pruning should be done right after the flowers are done blooming as this plant blooms on old wood.


Velvet Hydrangea

Velvet Leaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea aspera) - With a growth of 10-12 feet tall and 8-10 feet wide you will need lots of room for this Lacecap Hydrangea but it is well worth it. The flower heads on this beauty can get up to 10-12" wide and they cover the shrub.

They prefer light shade and don't like to dry.


Variegated Hydrangea

Variegated Lacecap Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla Variegata) - Another lacecap Hydrangea that grows to about 6 feet tall and wide. It prefers part shade and evenly moist soil for best performance.


Slender Deutzia

Slender Deutzia (Deutzia gracilis) – Belonging to the Hydrangea family, Slender Deutzia will grow 3 to 4 feet tall and up to 5 feet wide. It gets covered with small white flowers that last a couple of weeks during the spring. Pruning should be done right after the flowers are done blooming as this plant blooms on old wood.

Adding a Hydrangea plant to your yard will add a lot of beauty and elegance. And the blooms last until late summer when not too much else is blooming.

Once the blooms turn brown you can dry them and add them to your winter planters for a nice arrangement. 


Companion Plants

Barberry

Barberry

Hostas make great companion plants for Hydrangeas

Hostas

Red Twig Dogwoods will provide shade for your hydrangea

Dogwoods


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