Hydrangeas, with their stunning blooms in shades of blue, pink, purple, and white, are a popular choice for gardens. To ensure these beautiful plants thrive, here’s a guide to hydrangea care.

Planting Your Hydrangea

• Ideal Planting Time: Spring or fall are the best times to plant hydrangeas. You can plant during summer as well, you will need to water more during the establishing period.
• Soil Preference: Hydrangeas prefer moist, well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter.
• Sunlight: Sunlight requirements for hydrangeas will depend on the variety you have. Panicle Hydrangeas, like ‘Quick Fire’, like full sun. Smooth hydrangeas, like ‘Annabelle’, and Bigleaf hydrangeas, like ‘Bloomstruck’, prefer partial shade.
• Planting Depth: Dig the hole for your hydrangea to be twice the width, but at the same depth as the nursery container your plant came in.

Watering Your Hydrangea

• Consistent Moisture: Hydrangeas like consistent moisture, especially during dry spells and the heat of the summer.
• Deep Watering: Water deeply to encourage deep root growth, focusing on the soil around the hydrangea and avoid the leaves.
• Mulching: Mulch around the base of the plant to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Fertilizing Your Hydrangea

• Fertilizer Type: Use slow-release, granular fertilizer formulated for shrubs. Always be sure to follow the instructions on the back of the packaging to avoid over fertilizing your plants.
• Fertilization Schedule: Fertilize your hydrangea in early spring when the buds start to swell and again in mid-summer around the beginning of July.

Pruning Your Hydrangea

• Pruning Time: The best time to prune hydrangeas depends on the type.
  • Old Wood Bloomers: Prune these species, like Oakleaf and Bigleaf hydrangeas, immediately after flowering to encourage next year’s blooms.
  • New Wood Bloomers: Prune these species, like Panicle and Smooth hydrangeas, in late winter or early spring to remove dead or damaged branches.
• What To Prune: Prune out broken or dead branches at any time of year. General shaping and removing crossing branches should be done during the best pruning time for your hydrangea.

By following these simple care tips, you can enjoy the beauty of hydrangeas in your garden for years to come.