The short answer to that question is yes, because the beautiful blooms of a hydrangea are too stunning NOT to have in your garden space. With recent advances in breeding, there are more varieties than ever to choose from, so it’s easy to find one that suits your environment. There are some special care instructions that come with being a hydrangea owner, and you should be aware of them and able to complete them to have a happy plant.
- Hydrangeas love water. Even established shrubs need soil that has regular moisture. If you are xeriscaping your yard, a hydrangea is not for you! Make sure that you have a good loamy soil with excellent drainage. Adding some compost is always a good idea. New plants will need supplemental irrigation for the first few years until established, and even established plants may need an extra drink or two if the summer is hot. Hydrangeas will tell you when they’re thirsty by drooping their leaves and flowers. Don’t be too panicked – a quick drink will perk them right up again!
- Hydrangeas are very hungry in their early years. Supplemental fertilizing in the spring is required for good blooming and strong growth. Once plants are established, they are generally self-sufficient, however a slow release fertilizer can be beneficial for older plants. In addition, you can change the colour of some hydrangea flowers by changing the pH of the soil from acidic (low pH), to basic (high pH). Add some aluminum sulfate for acidic soil and blue flowers, or dolomitic lime for basic soil and pink flowers!
- A common complaint is that hydrangeas stop blooming or look scraggly – this is often because the shrub hasn’t been pruned regularly. Hydrangeas can be grouped into two types – those that bloom on old wood, and those that bloom on new wood. Old wood flowering shrubs include the big leaf (H. macrophylla and H. serrata) and oakleaf (H. quercifolia) types. These early to mid-summer bloomers set next years flowers in the fall, so pruning right after blooming is best. New wood bloomers include panicle (H. paniculata) and smooth (H. arborescens) types. These shrubs should be pruned in early spring before growth starts. When pruning, you can do two types of cuts. Rejuvenating cuts include pruning stems all the way to the ground and should be done on both types with frequency to improve air flow and overall vigour. New wood bloomers can be cut back all at once, whereas old wood bloomers should have a few canes removed at a time. Deadheading or removing half stem lengths can reduce floppiness and provide a good framework for new growth
- Although hydrangeas are generally healthy plants, hydrangea leaf-tier can be a bother for some types. According to the Laidback Gardener, Larry Hodgson, hydrangea leaf-tier can be controlled manually by removing caterpillars by hand, and also doing preventative pruning in late winter. Check out his tips and tricks here: https://laidbackgardener.blog/tag/hydrangea-leaf-tier/
Hopefully these tips encourage you to add a hydrangea or two to your garden. They are a feast of colour and texture, and butterflies love them. Choosing which kind to get is the hardest part!
By Heather Rajotte, Guelph-Wellington Master Gardeners