Perfect flowers: how to care for hydrangeas?

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Hydrangeas are beautiful in any garden. They attract everyone’s attention with their colorful flowers. But what do hydrangeas need to delight us with lush blooms every year? Which is the correct location? How should I care for the plant? Below you will find answers to these and other questions.

best location

In nature, hydrangeas are often found on shady forest edges or clearings. The treetops protect the plants from too much midday sunlight.

Anyone who wants to enjoy healthy hydrangeas in the garden should offer them similar living conditions. A sheltered location is important. Also, hydrangeas should not be planted in front of a south-facing wall. Noon sun is not good for plants. A west-facing house wall is more suitable. But the best place for hydrangeas is under a large bush. Scotch pines, Japanese maples or flowering dogwoods are suitable as shade providers.

How often do you need to water and fertilize hydrangeas?

The most important point in hydrangea care is proper watering. It is especially important to water in the morning and evening when the weather is hot and dry, so that the soil remains moist and the plants do not dry out. However, waterlogging should be avoided as hydrangeas are susceptible to it. Lime-free rainwater is best used for irrigation. Leaves and flowers should not be washed – there is a risk of mold!

A low phosphorus and high nitrogen product should be used for fertilization. In spring and early summer, hydrangeas are fertilized with a long-term solid fertilizer. Liquid fertilizer for hydrangeas in pots can be used from March to August. There are special hydrangea fertilizers on the market that are optimally adapted to the needs of plants.

When to prune hydrangeas?

In principle, all types of hydrangeas can be seriously reduced. However, if pruning is done at the wrong time, no or very few flowers will form. When it comes to pruning, hydrangeas are divided into two groups.

1. Peasant, Climbing, Highland, Velvet and Oak Leaf Hydrangeas: With these types of hydrangeas, pruning is important as the flowers are already created in the previous year. In early spring, only dead and frozen shoots and old inflorescences are removed. To rejuvenate older plants, some old shoots can be cut just above the ground.
2. Bunch and viburnum hydrangeas: Unlike the first group, panicle and viburnum hydrangeas bloom on annual wood and form buds only in the flowering year. These types of hydrangeas can therefore be pruned generously. Pruning can be done in fall or early spring.

How to care for hydrangea in pots?

Because hydrangeas are flat rooted, they can be grown well as potted plants. However, the planter should not be too small. A diameter of at least 80 centimeters is ideal.

In winter, the plant should be protected from frost. A shady spot in the house is ideal, ideally with a roof shelter, garage or a basement chimney. Also, the pot can be wrapped with felt or bubble wrap so that the rootstock does not freeze completely. Even in winter, hydrangeas should never dry out completely.

Simply multiply the hydrangeas

Hydrangeas are easy to propagate from cuttings. As a seedling, take a shoot with two pairs of leaves. The leaves are cut in half and the seedling is placed in the potting soil. In a few weeks roots will form and you will have a new hydrangea.

How do hydrangeas get blue flowers?

If you want blue-flowered hydrangeas, you must establish a few basic conditions. An acidic humus soil with a pH of three to four and a half is important.

But not all types of hydrangeas can master the color change. Many pale pink plate varieties and farmer’s hydrangeas are suitable. Alum is added to the irrigation water to color the flowers and the plants are watered with it four to five times a week from May to June.

How long do hydrangeas live?

In the right place and with the right care, hydrangeas can live for decades.

What diseases are there?

Hydrangeas are less susceptible to pests and diseases. Aphids and spider mites appear from time to time, and these can be easily combated with insecticides from specialist stores. Red and pink hydrangeas sometimes suffer from iron deficiency. A fertilizer with iron content can help here.

Source : Blick