How to Care For Woody Hydrangeas
Native to the Orient, woody hydrangeas add a burst of color to the summer landscape. Large clusters of blue, white or pink blooms compliment the deep green foliage of the woody hydrangea plant. These deciduous plants lose their leaves during winter dormancy only to bloom again the following spring on the prior year's growth. The care of woody hydrangeas includes a combination of feeding and moisture support during the growing season, and pruning maintenance to encourage new growth. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Soil testing kit
- Lime or peat moss
- Soaker hose
- Mulch
- Pruning shears
- Fertilizer
Instructions
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Find a planting location for the woody hydrangeas that contains sunny, well-drained soil.
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Test the pH of your soil with a soil testing kit from a garden center or plant nursery. Add lime to the soil if the pH is below 6.5 or peat moss if the soil is above 6.5. Add either amendment according to label instructions.
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Water 1 inch per week to maintain moist soil around the woody hydrangeas. Use a soaker hose, which will deliver deep watering to the roots.
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Spread a 3-to-4 inch layer of mulch around the woody hydrangeas to improve water retention. A layer of straw or bark chip mulch will also help to discourage weed growth and protect the roots of the hydrangeas during the winter.
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5
Prune the hydrangeas back in the early spring. Use a pair of pruning shears to cut back dead, broken or inward growing branches. Cut the healthy branches down by half to encourage new growth and larger blooms.
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Tips & Warnings
Pinch-off dead flowers with your fingertips to encourage new blooms.
Feed the woody hydrangeas a 10-10-10 fertilizer in the spring and early fall. Apply the fertilizer according to label instructions.
Do not prune woody hydrangeas in the spring, late fall or winter.
Do not fertilize in late fall or winter. Fertilizing encourages new growth, which is counterproductive during winter dormancy.
Do not over water the woody hydrangeas. Too much water can cause root rot. If the soil feels moist 1 inch down, skip the watering and check again in a few days.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit hydrangeas image by Ruslana Stovner from Fotolia.com
