There ’s nothing quite like hydrangeas in full bloom , with vivacious , billowing cluster of blossoms in shades range from blank and racy to purple and pinkish . Because they are both beautiful and well-off to produce and take care of , peculiarly in USDA hardiness zones 3 to 9 , it ’s easy to see why they are extremely pop plant to grow in garden or containers .
Of naturally , to make the most of the distinctive flowering window for these ornamental shrub – - which may be anywhere from belated bound to early fall . This form of everyday maintenance is required every year , typically in the very early spring . There are manydifferent motley of hydrangeas , but for most , maintenance think pruning and fertilizing . When and how exactly to do these tasks ( peculiarly pruning ) is dependent on which of two categories the particular species fall into : sure-enough wood or raw wood .
So what is the difference between these two categories ? Hydrangea species that bloom sooner , typically before June , bud on last year ’s growing – - that is , " old " wood . Those that peak later do so on the current raise season ’s unexampled increment , which is " Modern " Mrs. Henry Wood . You may encounter some exceptions to this rule . Caring for the ' Endless Summer ' hydrangea , for example , is a piece different , since it blooms on both new and old woods . check that you know which type you have !
When and how to prune old wood hydrangeas
The old wood specie are belike what most people picture when they consider of hydrangea : liberal , fluffy , colourful peak and verdant leaves . Because honest-to-goodness wood hydrangeas – - or bigleaf hydrangea ( H. macrophylla ) and its cultivar radical such as lacecap and mophead – - will bloom the next class on this year ’s growth , you should not bequeath pruning too tardily . Here ’s a full rule of pollex for old woodwind : the afterwards you lop , the fewer flower you ’ll see the following year . Pruning can begin for old wood hydrangeas anytime after the spring frosts finish . taste not to wait until the surrender , or you will be trim back off next year ’s prime .
fresh Ellen Price Wood hydrangea admit panicle hydrangeas ( H. paniculata ) and fluid hydrangeas ( H. arborescens ) . For these type , pruning prison term is a piddling more pliant . The rapidly growing panicle hydrangeas can do good from intensive pruning in late wintertime or early leap , while the smooth varieties can be pruned back tight to the ground in recent winter to advance healthy raw growth . Generally , unlike the former woodwind instrument species , raw Sir Henry Joseph Wood hydrangeas should not be pruned too betimes , or you will be soak yourself of this year ’s blooms !
To crop your hydrangeas , make a heading cut : cut at a 45 - degree angle above a gravid bud , with the high dot of the cut more or less ¼ to ½ column inch above the bud . Dead wood and much older stems near the basis of the shrub can also be dilute back to allow for newer , healthier growth .
Pruning and fertilizing new wood hydrangeas
other spring is a in force time to fertilize your older wood hydrangea for optimal blooms . When choosingthe best fertilizer for your hydrangeas , a balanced metre - freeing fertilizer ( such as an 8 - 8 - 8 or 10 - 10 - 10 expression ) mixed into the top 2 to 3 inches of the soil is generally a good choice . Several light applications throughout former spring should yield good results . Keep in mind that the color of bigleaf and Gallic varietal is qualified on aluminum uptake , which in round is pendent on soil pH. Simply put , alkaline soil make pink blossoms , while acidic ground produces profane , so make certain to check the tier of your soil and apply acidifiers ( to lower the pH ) or lime ( to increase the pH ) when fertilizing in outflow .
New wood hydrangeas do n’t involve much fertilizer , but might benefit from a quick - spill fertilizer software in spring and summertime . Additionally , panicle hydrangea in particular can gain from a protective bed of mulch , since they have shallow root . The colors of new Sir Henry Wood hydrangeas are not responsive to soil pH as the old woods variety are . Different cultivars of new wood metal money may produce specific colour ranging from pink to bolshy , but generally speaking , unexampled Mrs. Henry Wood hydrangeas produce prime ranging from white to light green .
