Cultivation Information and How to Grow Hydrangea Shrubs
Botanical and Common Name: Hydrangea plants are usually called by their botonical name.
Plant Category: Hydrangeas are deciduous shrubs which means they loose their leaves in the winter.
Bloom Time and Color: Hydrangeas can bloom from early spring through early fall with large flower clusters in white, pink or blue.
Foliage: Hydrangea shrubs usually have large leaves that are oval, slightly heart shaped, or moderately lobed like an oak leaf.
Growth Habit: Hydrangea shrubs can grow in full, bushy clumps that add a bold-leaved texture to container, bed or border.
Dimensions: Dwarf forms grow only a couple feet tall and are suitable for large containers, however most hydrangea shrubs grow 5-8' tall and 6-10' wide.
Maintenance: Hydrangea shrubs are easy to grow as long as they are provided enough water. Prune lightly as needed to removed dead or damaged branches, and control the suckering tendencies of some hydrangea shrubs.
Pests or Diseases: Powdery mildew can be a problem for hydrangea bushes so be sure to check for infected leaves which should be removed and disposed of safely (not in your compost bin).
Propagation Methods: Hydrangea shrubs are usually best purchased as started plants but are easily stressed by drought conditions so be sure to buy healthy plants.
Using Hydrangea Shrubs in the Garden Landscape
Preferred Conditions: Hydrangeas are hardy in zones 3-10 depending on the cultivar. Hydrangea shrubs prefer rich, moist soil and part-shade although full sun is tolerated in cooler climates. Soil PH between 4.5 to 5 will turn the flower clusters of some hydrangeas blue while soil PH above 6.3 will turn the hydrangea flowers pink.
Companion Plants: Hydrangea shrubs can be planted in acidic soil and make great foreground accent plants in front ofevergreen shrubs like Camellias or azaleas. Other moist-loving, shade tolerant plants include Dicentra (Bleeding Heart), Hellebores, or Ferns.
Seasons of Interest: Hydrangea shrubs are interesting year-round in the garden as they flower spring through fall and winter seedheads remain attractive.
Uses in the Garden: Use hydrangeas as a floral accent in the middle of a bed or border in front of evergreen trees or evergreen shrubs. Or plant hydrangea shrubs as under story plantings beneath deciduous or woodland trees.
Other Hydrangea Uses:The large flower clusters that hydrangea shrubs produce are often dried for indoor flower arrangements or used in crafts.
Hydrangea Varieties and Cultivars
- (Hydrangea anomala petiolaris) Climbing Hydrangea – Zone 4-8. A vining hydrangea that climbs easily up walls, fences or trees because the vine has little holdfasts and needs little, if any, support. The climbing hydrangea has showy white flower heads and cinnamon colored bark.
- Hydrangea macrophylla – Zones 5-11. Called the Bigleaf Hydrangea, these beautiful shrubs are great in a wide variety of garden situations. Prune these hydrangeas after blooms fade and keep the plant well watered. Many named cultivars are available including 'Bailmer' (Endless Summer Hydrangea), 'Dardom' (White Dome Hydrangea), and 'Tokoyo Delight'.
- Hydrangea arborescens – Zones 3-9. This hydrangea is prone to suckering if left unpruned and since it blooms on new wood you can prune this hydrangea more severely.
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