Plant ID card |
|
|---|---|
Botanical name |
Hydrangea. |
Common name |
Hydrangea. |
Family |
Hydrangeaceae. |
Origin |
East Asia and the Americas. |
Dimensions |
From 1 to 5 meters in height and width, depending on the species. Moderate to fast growth. |
Foliage |
Deciduous or persistent depending on the species. Smooth, green, broad leaves with serrated edges and prominent veins. |
Bloom |
From June to August. Large inflorescences in balls, panicles or flats, colors varying from white, pink, blue to purple, depending on the species and soil pH. |
Exposure |
Partial shade. |
Ground |
Rich and slightly acidic, moist but still well drained. |
Rusticity |
The most resistant species can withstand temperatures down to -20°C. |
Caring for a hydrangea in your garden
The most beautiful varieties of hydrangea
Where to plant hydrangea?
When and how to plant hydrangea?
How to maintain the hydrangea?
Does the hydrangea fear frost?
How to propagate hydrangea?
How to dry hydrangea flowers?
How to store a blue hydrangea?
The most beautiful varieties of hydrangea
The Hydrangea
family
includes many varieties, here are a few worthy of interest:
Hydrangea macrophylla
(Large-leaved Hydrangea) with its large balls of colorful flowers;
Hydrangea paniculata
offers flowers in long panicles, often white becoming pink;
Hydrangea serrata
is a smaller, delicate variety, suitable for shady gardens;
Hydrangea aspera
features large velvety leaves and lilac flowers;
Hydrangea involucrata
with its small pale blue bouquets;
Hydrangea quercifolia
(Oak-leaved hydrangea): its leaves are distinguished by their irregular lobed shape with beautiful white flowers;
Hydrangea petiolaris
is a climbing hydrangea that produces large, flat white flowers with dark foliage;
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Pia'
dwarf variety often called Mini Penny, ideal for small spaces and growing in pots, the flowers form small pink balls.
With the hydrangea, beauty rhymes with simplicity... this shrub will be very suitable for the amateur gardener.
You will see with this guide, the
Hydrangea
requires little maintenance
to fully blossom and offer you all its most beautiful flowers!
The hydrangea is a shrub that will be very suitable for the amateur gardener!
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No use without permission.
Where to plant hydrangea?
The hydrangea prefers an
exposure in partial shade
, where they can benefit from the light of the sun without being exposed to its intense heat of the afternoon.
This is especially true for varieties with delicate flowers that might wilt or lose their vibrant color in too much sun.
It is also preferable to avoid exposures that are too windy.
When it comes to soil, hydrangea thrives in organic-rich, cool, well-drained soil.
This combination ensures abundant flowering and vibrant colors.
The different varieties of hydrangeas lend themselves easily to landscaping.
In clumps
, they shine with their volume and variety of colors.
Isolated, they become centerpieces, capturing attention and beautifying any corner of the garden.
As a flowering hedge, they combine intimacy and aesthetics.
Finally, it is possible to grow hydrangeas in pots by choosing the most compact varieties.
Read also Hydrangea in a pot on the terrace or balcony: 8 tips and tricks
When and how to plant hydrangea?
The best time to plant hydrangea is
during mild spring
, or possibly in autumn, but always away from the coldest and hottest periods.
Prepare the soil by digging a
large hole
, ideally twice as wide as the plant's rootball, to allow the roots to spread;
In the case of planting in clumps, maintain a spacing of 1.50 m to 2 m between the different plants;
Enrich the substrate by incorporating
compost or heather soil
.
This promotes drainage while providing the nutrients necessary for the plant;
Place the hydrangea in the hole, ensuring that the top of the rootball is at ground level to avoid water accumulation around the crown of the plant;
Fill with soil mixture and tamp lightly before watering thoroughly.
How to maintain the hydrangea?
Hydrangea care, although quite simple, requires a little attention to ensure quality flowering.
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No use without permission.
Hydrangea care, although quite simple, requires a little attention to ensure quality flowering.
Watering:
Hydrangeas prefer soil that is consistently moist but never soggy, which means you will need to adjust the frequency of watering based on climate conditions and soil type.
In dry periods, more frequent watering is necessary, especially for hydrangeas in pots which dry out much more quickly.
Fertilization:
In spring, a balanced fertilizer supply specially designed for hydrangeas will help stimulate growth and flowering.
Some gardeners also use supplements to maintain or modify flower color, such as adding aluminum sulfate to intensify the blue color of varieties sensitive to soil pH.
Pruning:
take care to cut off the spent flowers as you go.
It will also be necessary to prune the hydrangeas at the end of winter.
Cut the oldest branches to make room for the youngest twigs, this will encourage the appearance of new shoots bearing flowers!
Some gardeners refer to the lunar calendar when pruning their shrubs.
Monitoring for Diseases and Pests:
Like all shrubs, hydrangeas can be damaged by diseases and pests.
Observing the plants is the key to treating as quickly as possible (fungicides, insecticides, soapy solutions) and possibly implementing preventive treatments (manure and traps).
With hydrangea, pay particular attention
to powdery mildew
which causes a whitish deposit on the leaves or brown leaf spots on the leaves.
Aphids, red spiders, slugs and snails can also colonize and feast on the leaves of the shrub.
Generally speaking,
air circulation
around plants should be optimized to limit damage and its spread.
Does the hydrangea fear frost?
Although generally robust, some hydrangeas are more sensitive to frost, particularly those with large leaves and young plants.
Protect the roots with a thick mulch such as BRF and wrap the most vulnerable shrubs with a
winter cover
during severe frosts.
How to propagate hydrangea?
Hydrangeas multiply quite easily, so you can beautify your garden a little more over time without spending a single cent!
This is done using several methods:
There
hydrangea cutting
is the easiest and is practiced in summer.
You need to cut a section of healthy stem from the year, remove the lower leaves and plant this piece in a moist potting mix.
Division
involves dividing the parent plant into several sections, each having part of the root system.
Instead, do it in spring or fall.
Layering
, which is also done in spring, involves bending a low branch to the ground to bury a section, while leaving the end free.
Roots will then develop, after which you can separate the branch and its new root network from the parent plant to replant it elsewhere.
How to dry hydrangea flowers?
To maintain the blue color of hydrangeas, it is crucial to maintain an acidic pH in the soil.
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No use without permission.
Drying flowers is an easy way to preserve their beauty for use in long-lasting interior decorations, for example a dried hydrangea flower wreath.
To do this, choose the inflorescences at the end of the season, when they begin to lose their bright color and the petals become a little more rigid.
Cut the stems, remove the leaves and tie the flowers into bouquets.
Hang them upside down
in a dry, dark, well-ventilated area to dry, a process that can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks.
How to store a blue hydrangea?
To maintain the blue color of hydrangeas, it is crucial to maintain an
acidic pH in the soil
.
Test the pH of your soil first and, if necessary, use aluminum sulfate or heather earth to lower it.
Opt for special fertilizers for blue hydrangeas and favor watering with rainwater, which is naturally more acidic than tap water.
Applying an organic mulch like pine needles can also help acidify the soil.