Hydrangeas: The Colorful, Bloom-Filled, Shade-Loving Shrub

 

Hydrangeas: Beautiful Blooms for the Landscape

 

Not many flowering shrubs can make a statement quite like a Hydrangea! With their beautiful colors, impressive flowers, and variety of bloom shapes, it’s easy to see why Hydrangeas continue to be one of our most popular flowering plants.

 

 
 

So Many Different Blooms

 

Hydrangeas offer much more than the traditional large, ball-shaped flowers many of us know and love. Depending on the type and variety, you’ll find mophead blooms, delicate lacecaps, oakleaf flower clusters, and large cone-shaped panicles.

Colors can include white, pink, blue, purple, lime green, and multicolored combinations. Some varieties even put on a beautiful show as their flowers change color while the blooms mature.

Keep in mind that not every Hydrangea changes flower color based on soil conditions. That characteristic is primarily associated with certain Bigleaf Hydrangeas, where soil pH and aluminum availability can influence shades of pink, purple, and blue. White Hydrangeas generally remain white rather than changing to blue or pink.

 
 

Finding the Right Spot

 

Light requirements vary depending on the type of Hydrangea. Many of the varieties commonly grown in East Texas perform beautifully with morning sun and protection from our intense afternoon heat.

Panicle Hydrangeas generally tolerate more direct sun than Bigleaf or Oakleaf types, so it’s important to choose your planting location based on the particular Hydrangea you’re growing.

Hydrangeas prefer moist, well-drained soil, but they don’t want to remain waterlogged. A 2–3 inch layer of mulch over the root zone can help conserve moisture and moderate soil temperatures during our hot East Texas summers. Keep the mulch pulled slightly away from the base of the plant.

 
 

Don’t Panic When They Wilt!

 

Hydrangeas are famous for looking a little dramatic during hot summer afternoons. Large leaves can lose moisture quickly, and temporary wilting doesn’t always mean the plant immediately needs more water.

Before reaching for the hose, check the soil and root ball for moisture. Water deeply when needed rather than automatically watering on a fixed daily schedule. Newly planted Hydrangeas will need closer attention while their roots become established.

 
 

Be Careful When Pruning

 

Hydrangeas are deciduous, so don’t be surprised when they lose their leaves and go dormant during winter.

Pruning is where things can get a little tricky because different Hydrangea types bloom on different kinds of wood. Traditional Bigleaf and Oakleaf Hydrangeas primarily bloom on old wood, while Panicle and Smooth Hydrangeas bloom on new growth. Reblooming Bigleaf varieties can flower on both old and new wood.

Hydrangeas don’t require annual pruning, and cutting the wrong variety at the wrong time can remove next season’s flower buds. See our Hydrangea Pruning Guide for more information.

 
 

Don’t Have a Spot in the Landscape?

 

You can still enjoy Hydrangeas! Many compact varieties work beautifully in large containers on patios and porches where they receive the appropriate amount of light.

Choose a container with adequate drainage and remember that container-grown Hydrangeas can dry out more quickly during hot weather and are more exposed to winter temperatures than plants growing in the ground.

Whether planted in the landscape or displayed in a favorite container, Hydrangeas bring incredible color and beautiful blooms to the garden year after year.