How to Keep Hydrangeas

Keeping hydrangeas in the garden requires little care once the plants establish themselves. Their easy-to-care-for nature and large pink, blue or white pom-pom flowers make them popular garden plants. Hydrangeas can grow in a wide range of conditions as long as they are given regular attention throughout the growing season. By following a care regimen based on a few time-tested gardening practices, you can keep hydrangeas growing beautifully for years.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Water Compost Granular Fertilizer for Acid-loving Plants Ammonium Sulfate Shovel Pruning Shears

1. Grow hydrangeas in a brightly lit location or an area that receives some direct sun in well-drained soil rich in composted organic matter. Morning or late afternoon sun exposure works well. While hydrangeas grow in a wide variety of conditions from deep shade to full sun, they fare best when planted in areas that avoid both extremes. Too much shade will result in a spindly, gangly plant and too much sun will burn the plant.

2. Water hydrangea plants regularly but infrequently. Use a garden hose to saturate the soil in a three-foot diameter around the plant stalk. Allow the soil to reach a semi-dry state between each watering. Use soil to build small berms several inches high around the root area of the hydrangea plant to catch and hold water.

3. Fertilize hydrangeas using a granular fertilizer designed for acid-loving flowering bushes and shrubs. Apply the fertilizer every four months in the amount called for on the product directions. Turn over the soil lightly and work the fertilizer in several inches deep, avoiding the area within three inches of the plant stalk. After applying fertilizer, water it in thoroughly and deeply.

4. Apply ammonium sulfate to the soil to turn pink hydrangea flowers blue. Add the ammonium sulfate like a granular fertilizer at least three months prior to bloom season. Apply according to the product package and lightly mix into the soil and water thoroughly and deeply. The ammonium sulfate will lower the PH of the soil making it more acidic, which will turn pink hydrangeas flowers a deep, dark blue.

5. Prune hydrangea plants after the blooming cycle is complete and the flowers are spent. Remove the spent flowers. Clip the hydrangea branches back to where a new stem is starting to grow, which is just above the union of an existing leaf and the branch. If there are not small branches already growing, just prune off six to eight inches of branch material after the blooms are spent. Fertilize after pruning and water deeply.

Tips & Warnings

• Hydrangeas grow well in containers, but require more frequent watering. When growing hydrangeas as potted plants, place them in a semi-shady location so that you do not have to water them as often. Use granular fertilizer in the pot with potting soil, because they will need a steady supply of nutrients when growing in a confined area.

References

• This site is all about the enjoyment and care of hydrangeas.