Hydrangea Care

Many gardeners have questions about hydrangea care. It can be very disappointing to plant such gorgeous flowers only to see them struggle and not bloom. LoveToKnow Garden was able to speak with Kristin Grilli of Burpee seeds and plants about hydrangea care. See what she had to say.

Hydrangea serrata 'Mihagi-Nishiki'

In general, hydrangeas can be classified into 5 groups:

Smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens) — Most people think of hydrangeas as shrubs for shade, but if you've got a sunny garden and are longing to grow hydrangeas, consider planting a smooth hydrangea variety. These decadent beauties are hardy in Zones 3 to 8 and are native to eastern North America. Because these wide, mounding plants adapt to full sun or partial shade, they are an exceptional choice for sunny garden spots. Smooth hydrangeas typically grow three to five feet high and wide.

Bigleaf hydrangea (H. macrophylla) — Perhaps best-known among its counterparts, the Bigleaf hydrangea is hardy in Zones 6 to 9. This popular shrub is native to Japan and typically grows about four feet high and wide. It produces large, blue or pink flower clusters in early summer. Lacecap varieties are also classified as Bigleaf hydrangea, and produce smaller flower clusters in which a ring of blossoms encircles a flattened center. Endless Summer, a popular mophead variety is one example of a Bigleaf hydrangea.

Peegee hydrangea (H. paniculata) — Peegee hydrangea are the largest of the free-standing types, growing 15 to 20 feet high and 10 to 15 feet wide. Native to both China and Japan, Peegee hydrangea are hardy in Zones 3 to 8 and produce elongated white flower panicles that appear in late summer. Over time, Peegee hydrangeas can be trained to resemble trees.

Oakleaf hydrangea (H. quercifolia) — Hardy in Zones 5 to 9, Oakleaf hydrangea are native to the southeastern United States. This type of hydrangea can grow four to six feet high and wide. Part of its charm, the Oakleaf features large, lobed leaves that turn rich burgundy red in the fall. Its elongated cream flower panicles burst into bloom in early summer and persist through fall in most parts of the country.

Climbing hydrangea (H. anomala petiolaris) — Originating in China and Japan, Climbing hydrangea can reach up to 60 feet, using its stems to cling to walls or other supports. This hydrangea is hardy in Zones 4 to 8, and is often appreciated for its airy white flower clusters that appear in early summer.

Hydrangea arborescens 'White Dome'

The popularity of the hydrangea may be attributed to a number of factors including their dramatic presence in the garden. Whether it be a fluffy mophead type with blooms that beckon gardeners from a far or a lacecap type with intricate blooms that make you want to take a close look, all hydrangeas (in my opinion) add wow factor to the garden.

Typically, Mophead hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) are the most popular. Chances are that when someone thinks of a hydrangea, an image of a mophead type comes to mind. Mopheads are a very "showy" in the garden with their clustered, vibrant blooms and equally attractive leaves.

One of the most common problems with a hydrangea is that it doesn't bloom or only produces a few blooms. This could be caused by a faulty pruning regimen as some hydrangeas bloom on old wood as opposed to new wood.

It can also be caused by inadequate amounts of sunlight. Not all hydrangeas prefer shade or partial shade. Still yet, it could be the soil that the hydrangea is planted in does not contain enough nutrients.

The best advice for gardeners is to follow the pruning, site location details and feeding suggestions on the plant tag. When in doubt, check with a garden center expert at the store where you purchased the plant. Chances are they will be familiar with your particular hydrangea variety, will be able to identify what the problem is and can suggest how you should go about fixing it.

Please make sure that you refer to the plant tag for details on light, soil, water and feeding requirements. Most importantly, make sure the hydrangea you select is appropriate for your USDA hardiness zone recommendations to make sure the hydrangea you want is appropriate for your zone. However, because there are so many types of hydrangeas/hydrangea varieties, most gardeners shouldn't have too difficult of a time finding the right hydrangea for their growing conditions.

One other tip would be to consider how tall and wide the particular type of hydrangea you want to plant will ultimately be. The plant tag likely mentions the average size the plant is expected to reach. Be sure that once the hydrangea grows to maturity, it will be an appropriate size for the garden location you select.

Finally, research various types of hydrangeas before you buy. There are a multitude of unique and beautiful varieties available, so you are not limited to just those the garden center has in stock on the day you go to purchase plants. Mail order garden sources, may in some cases, offer a better or more diverse selection of hydrangeas to choose from.

Fordhook Farm

Over 40 types of hydrangeas can be seen at Heronswood.com. In fact, each year during July they are featured in a Hydrangea Festival at Fordhook Farm. Krisin Grilli told us this about the event:

With the help of The Garden Conservancy, Burpee opens its doors to the public for garden Open Days each summer. The event takes place at Burpee's historic Fordhook Farm. The farm features an array of display and trial gardens — all showcasing Burpee plant varieties along with plant varieties from Burpee's sister companies —Heronswood Nursery and The Cook's Garden. Hydrangeas have been the focus of the July opens, as it is a perfect time of year to admire hydrangeas in Eastern Pennsylvania. Many of the hydrangeas on display at Fordhook are available via Heronswood Nursery's catalog or website.

In addition to a vast collection of unique hydrangea varieties, visitors will have an opportunity to preview a wide selection of annuals, perennials, grasses, trees and other shrubs. The farm features eight specialty gardens containing more than 3,000 different species of unique ornamental and edible plant varieties. Visitors will also see stunningly beautiful garden scupltures (created by well-known artist Steve Tobin) dispersed throughout the grounds. The farm also includes an array of buildings that were all part of seed pioneer W. Atlee Burpee's original estate. The seed house, located on the property, is a historic landmark.

For more information on hydrangea care, be sure to attend the guest lecture series given by world-renown garden expert Dr. Michael Dirr. He will speak on both days of the event. More details can be seen at Burpee's event page.

For other events held at Heronswood Farms, visit their event page where you can see their event schedule all year round.

LoveToKnow would like to thank Kristin Grilli for taking the time for this interview on hydrangea care.

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