The hydrangea blossoms in full bloom give a delightful feeling with their vibrant colors, but if the flowers are scarce, it can lack luster. Experts say that by avoiding a common mistake, hydrangeas will bloom more beautifully next year.
According to the UK’s Daily Express, hydrangeas come in various colors such as white and pink. With proper care, including pruning, these plants will thrive well.
Pruning is crucial for many plants. Its purpose is to remove dead, diseased, or damaged stems and improve the plant’s appearance. However, experts note that pruning at the wrong time of year can result in plants not flowering.
Paul Parker, a gardening expert at J. Parker’s, a British garden plant retailer, says, “When to prune hydrangeas largely depends on the variety in your garden. If you’re unsure of the variety in your garden, I recommend waiting for them to bloom in summer and then pruning the following year.”
For common shrubby hydrangeas, pruning should be done at the end of winter or early spring. This timing helps protect the flower buds from frost.
Popular bigleaf hydrangeas belong to this category. Different varieties may have slightly different pruning recommendations, so it’s best to first identify the type of hydrangea you have.
When pruning shrubby hydrangeas, remove all dead, diseased, damaged, or crossing stems. For older plants, you can cut back one or two old stems to ground level to promote new growth.
Parker explains that if you have panicle hydrangeas, the pruning technique is slightly different. To encourage more flowers in spring, trim them to the healthiest pair of buds, giving them a more compact and vibrant appearance.
Climbing hydrangeas grow slowly, so pruning is not necessary in the first two to three years after planting. If pruning is needed, trim any stray branches and leave only the healthiest pair of buds below.
Parker advises, “Avoid pruning too much at the top of the plants, as the majority of the flowers will grow from there.”
J. Parker’s website indicates that hydrangeas are highly diverse flowering plants, with over 70 varieties, most of which are native to Asia and North America. These attractive shrubs are favored for their magnificent floral heads, presenting soft tones of blue, pink, red, or white flowers.
Spring or autumn is the best time to plant hydrangeas. There are considerations to ensure they start off in optimal condition and maintain their beauty.
For the best flower display, plant hydrangeas in a sunny location, as they require at least 6 hours of sunlight daily to produce lush blooms.
Before planting, water the hydrangea plant in the pot. Dig a hole in the garden twice as wide and deep as the pot. Add compost at the bottom of the hole. Clear any stones, debris, and weeds from the hole and surrounding area.
Next, place the potted hydrangea plant into the hole, fill with soil, and compact it. Water the plant again.
Hydrangeas thrive on water and require ample moisture. Regular watering is essential, especially during hot weather or prolonged drought, as their roots can quickly dry out.
For fertilization, use organic slow-release fertilizer annually or cover the base with 2.5 cm of organic material in spring. Fertilizers provide nutrients, lock in soil moisture, absorb heat, promote root growth, and improve soil structure.
Hydrangeas are cold-tolerant and do not require winter protection. Many people leave their faded flower heads on during winter, adding interest to the garden and effectively protecting against sudden temperature drops.
If you want to change the color of hydrangea blooms, pay attention to the soil’s pH level.
Over time, a blue hydrangea plant’s flowers may turn pink. This is because blue hydrangeas typically bloom in acidic soil with a pH of 5.5. In neutral soil (pH 7), their flowers tend to be predominantly pink but may also bloom in a bluish-purple hue.
To ensure blue hydrangea blooms, maintain a soil pH below 6.5. Treating neutral soil with aluminum salts annually can relatively easily lower the pH. Lowering the pH of alkaline soil, however, is more challenging.