How to Grow Hydrangeas
Whether you call them Hydrangea Macrophylla, House Hydrangea, French Hydrangea,, or Mopheads, growing Hydrangeas in the home garden can be an enjoyable experience. They are lovely, whether used as single plants or in mass, such as in a hedge, or border.
Growing Conditions:
Hydrangeas grow best in partial shade to full sun. They prefer morning sun and afternoon shade, especially in hot areas
Hydrangeas need a lot of water. In fact the word "Hydrangea" comes from the Greek for "water tub"!
They grow best in rich soil, so dig in a lot of compost, and other organic matter, when you plant them, and mulch well.
Fertilization:
Fertilize liberally in the spring, in May in the South, and again in August. Wait until June to fertilize in northern areas. Use a good balanced, slow-release, fertilizer and apply Ľ cup around the base of a very small plant, and 1-2 cups around a very large plant. Spread out to drip line, but don't get it next to the trunk. Mulch with homemade compost to cover roots.
Never fertilize a plant that looks sick or wilted, it will just stress it more.
Propagation:
You can propagate from softwood cuttings in June. Take a 6"-8" tip cutting, strip off the bottom leaves, dip end in rooting hormone, then stick about one inch deep in sterile moist sand, vermiculite or sphagnum moss. Create a mini green house over plants with plastic and place in bright light, not full sun, until roots form.
Or, you can just root them in water. Again, place in bright light away from full sun until the roots form.
Planting:
1. Dig a hole 2 times as deep and wide as the root ball. Break up soil in the hole and mix in 1 inch compost.
2. Remove from container and loosen soil around outside of root ball.
3. Set in hole so plant is at same level it was in the pot, you may need to add dirt back into the hole to raise it up.
4. Fill in hole, around plant, with the soil and pack gently. Water well to remove air pockets. Mulch well with compost.
5. Early fall is the best time to plant new Hydrangeas.
Pruning:
In Spring, prune back old or damaged growth, and old flower stems. Don't cut new shoots, they are where the new blooms will be.
In late summer, after blooming, prune to just above the next outward facing bud.
For larger flower clusters, thin plant down to half the number of stems.
Problems:
Powdery Mildew-evidenced by white powder on leaves, which then turn yellow and wilt. Treat by removing infected parts and spraying with a fungicide.
If the plants aren't blooming well, it could be due to: 1. Winter kill. The buds form on the previous years growth, and can be killed off if temps drop below 25 degrees Fahrenheit. Protect when harsh weather is expected. 2. Too much shade. They prefer partial to full sun, preferably morning sun, with shade during the hot afternoons. 3. Poor Fertilization.
Fun Fact:
You can change the color of the blossoms, by changing the acidity of the soil.
Add Aluminum Sulfate to make the soil acid for Blue flowers. Or, add Lime to make the soil alkaline for Pink flowers. You will need to repeat the process 2 or 3 times over the growing season and continue it as long as you want the change to continue. It may take a year or two to see the results you want. This doesn't usually work on the white varieties on Hydrangeas.
You are free to publish this article on your website or in your Ezine as long as you publish it in it's entirety, including the resource box at the end of the article, with active (clickable) links back to the authors website. You can publish this article in a print publication as long as you reference the author and publish the URL of the authors website. A Courtesy copy of the Ezine or the URL of a website would be appreciated. E-mail Charlotte Harris @ charlotte@thethomasinsight.com.
Charlotte Harris is the owner of Charlotte's Garden A monthly gardening calendar with lots of helpful gardening hints and articles.
 Google News Updated : Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:49:35 GMT Kenya Detains US Author Critical of Obama - New York Times
New York Times - By JEFFREY GETTLEMAN NAIROBI, Kenya - The American author of a best-selling book highly critical of Senator Barack Obama was detained by Kenyan immigration agents on Tuesday as he prepared to give a press conference in Nairobi. Kenya Detains Author of Anti-Obama Book US anti-Obama book author faces Kenya deportation: officials Publ.Date : Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:00:27 GMT Senator Warned a Friend That Jail Was a Risk - New York Times
New York Times - By NEIL A. LEWIS WASHINGTON - The day after the FBI confronted Bill Allen, an Alaska oil services millionaire, with evidence that he had tried to bribe state lawmakers, he reached out to Senator Ted Stevens by telephone to discuss how their ... Stevens unplugged: a defiant, salty health nut “I Love You, You Know,” and More Revelations from the Stevens Trial Publ.Date : Tue, 07 Oct 2008 12:35:08 GMT McCain, Obama question each other's character in latest campaign ads - Baltimore Sun
Baltimore Sun - By Paul West | paul.west@baltsun.com Washington - The presidential contest turned increasingly nasty yesterday as Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain launched new personal attacks ahead of the second presidential debate. Video: AP Campaign Minute The Note: McCain Brings Attack to Second Debate Publ.Date : Tue, 07 Oct 2008 11:47:50 GMT Police say Kentucky woman kills self, daughters - Forbes
Forbes - AP 10.07.08, 9:30 AM ET Police were still trying to determine Tuesday why a Louisville woman apparently stabbed her two school-age daughters to death and then shot herself. Police say Kentucky woman kills self, daughters Police say Louisville woman kills self, daughters Publ.Date : Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:38:46 GMT OTC Cold Medicines to Be Relabeled for Young Children - Wall Street Journal
Wall Street Journal - By JENNIFER CORBETT DOOREN WASHINGTON -- Companies making over-the-counter cold and cough medicines have agreed to stop marketing the products to children younger than 4 as part of an effort to reduce accidental overdoses, an industry trade group said ... Video: Cold Meds Under Fire, Again ALERT: Drug Companies Warning to Parents Publ.Date : Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:15:50 GMT Study: Using fan on sleeping baby reduces risk of SIDS - San Jose Mercury News
San Jose Mercury News - By Linda Goldston Ayde Gonzales's mother was surprised when she insisted that her newborn son must sleep on his back, not on his side. Fans May Reduce Babies' Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Fan in Room Seems to Cut Infants’ Risk of Crib Death Publ.Date : Tue, 07 Oct 2008 12:46:19 GMT IMF Urges Coordinated Action, Sees US Losses at $1.4 Trillion - Wall Street Journal
Wall Street Journal - By TOM BARKLEY WASHINGTON -- With losses on bad US assets alone expected to top $1.4 trillion, the International Monetary Fund urged global policy makers Tuesday to coordinate a response to an unprecedented financial crisis that continues to spread. IMF warns of deeper slowdown amid crisis IMF in 'severe downturn' warning Publ.Date : Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:21:55 GMT Make Money From Home |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... Although push lawn mowers are wonderful machines that do a... Read More The flittering of the butterfly through your garden is no... Read More The protea family (Proteaceae) includes a wide range of ground... Read More Planting roses isn't actually complicated, as long as you have... Read More When choosing a new greenhouse for your garden there are... Read More It is important when you start to plan a garden,... Read More Now's the time to get ready to grow your own... Read More For best health, it is important to keep your environment... Read More The shade garden can be exploding with color and texture.... Read More Landscaping is a wonderful pastime enjoyed by many. It provides... Read More February is "Feed the Birds" month in much of North... Read More There's been a huge increase in the popularity of garden... Read More If you are a gardener you probably already do a... Read More Throughout the course of time, black roses have conjured... Read More There are many varied definitions of what each color of... Read More One winter evening I was working on the computer when... Read More Very soon stocks of new season's roses will... Read More Many people have asked us over the years "Should I... Read More One of my favorite plants is the large white-flowered Mystery... Read More Have you noticed how everything looks great at the moment... Read More What is the first thought that comes through your mind... Read More To many people, wood is the quintessential building material for... Read More Perennial plants and flowers stay around for more than just... Read More Doing a full pond cleaning during the colder winter months... Read More Do you love swimming? Do you dream of an in... Read More
Adsense
websites
How To Mow A Lawn
How to Attract Butterflies to Your Garden
The Protea Family (Proteaceae)
10 Tips for Successful Rose Planting
Greenhouse Buying Guide - Choosing The Right Greenhouse
Planning a Vegetable Garden
Invite Spring Early - Grow in Your Basement
Skip The Pesticide And Use Natural Alternatives
Starting a Shade Garden...
Landscape Design
Set Out a Feast for Your Feathered Friends
Garden Makeover On A Budget
Water Conservation in the Garden - Use a Rain Barrel to Harvest Rainwater
Are There Really Black Roses?
A Rose is a Rose?
Storm Damage and Mature Tree Pruning
Gallica Roses
How to Choose Between Goldfish and KOI
Perfume Your Garden and Home with Gardenias
Planning Permission Tips UK - Landscaping Schemes - Do They Add Value-Is It The Chicken Or The Egg?
Plastic & Resin Patio Furniture ? What You Don?t Know
Wooden You Like to Know? A Primer to Wood Outdoor Furnishings
Mix Perennials into Your Garden for Staying Power
Fall Pond Cleaning
Lap Pools ? Great Exercise Inside Or Any Size Backyard
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Poly Tarps: More Than Meets The Eye
To many people, "tarp" conjures an image of a crumpled... Read More
Natural Garden Pest Control
No dig gardens essentially strive to be their own ecosystem.... Read More
Are There Really Black Roses?
Throughout the course of time, black roses have conjured... Read More
Gardening for Birds Part 2
We've had some well needed rain this past week, though... Read More
Funky Garden Plants 2
What's a perennial garden plant that blooms in the winter?... Read More
Tips for Backyard Fish Ponds Care
Installing a backyard fish pond is an aesthetic addition to... Read More
Plan Before Buying Rose Bushes
So, you have decided to plant rose bushes in your... Read More
Working with Landscape Contractors
Having a beautiful and functional landscape is every homeowners dream.... Read More
The Incredible Daylily
Some people have referred to daylilies as the poor man's... Read More
Greenhouse Buying Guide - Choosing The Right Greenhouse
When choosing a new greenhouse for your garden there are... Read More
It?s Gardening Season!
It's gardening season again! Are you ready? Whether you are... Read More
How to Grow Snow Peas
Snow peas may have been named because in bright sunlight... Read More
How to Grow Asparagus
Asparagus is a perennial plant with erect, edible stems and... Read More
Turn Your Patio Into A Voluminous Vegetable Garden
My first apartment was a second-story condo in an urban... Read More
Wooden You Like to Know? A Primer to Wood Outdoor Furnishings
To many people, wood is the quintessential building material for... Read More
To Salt or Not to Salt Your Pond
The important question of whether or not to add salt... Read More
How to Create a Zen Garden
When you hear the term "Zen Garden" the picture conjured... Read More
Want a Garden but Not Enough Room or Soil? Then Hydroponics Gardening could be for You
Hydroponics gardening is a great idea for anyone who wants... Read More
Rock Gardens - A Different Kind of Garden
Planting a Rock Garden is a great alternative to the... Read More
Teak Patio Furniture Is The Perfect Choice For Your Terrace
You have spent hours of time and quite a lot... Read More
Organic Roses in the Flower Garden
Many people believe growing their flowers and vegetables organically is... Read More
How To Grow Luscious Tomatoes
The tomato is the most commonly grown vegetable in the... Read More
Gallica Roses
Very soon stocks of new season's roses will... Read More
The Care of Cattleya Orchids
Cattleya Care: a bit more in-depth.This month we are going... Read More
The Garden As Healer
The word for 'paradise' comes from the Persian word for... Read More
Landscaping & Gardening |