Hydrangeas: Hot House vs. Nursery

 

Here’s a common hydrangea question, “What’s the difference between the hydrangeas in our nursery and those grown by florists?”

 

A nursery hydrangea is planted outdoors in the ground or pot in a shady spot. It is covered with a multitude of large, colorful blooms from Spring through early Fall. It is deciduous (loses it’s leaves in the winter) and begins leafing out in early Spring and quickly begins blooming again year after year. There are so many varieties available in a multitude of sizes, colors and shapes adding to its versatility in your garden.

 

 

The florist hydrangea is grown in hot-house conditions to produce beautiful blooms and are popular gifts. Hot-house hydrangeas are grown mainly as a one-time, blooming plant to enjoy until the blooms are gone. They are not intended to be planted in your garden and are seldom successfully grown in that environment. Occasionally, these plants do survive, but it is rare. (If yours did, kudos to you!)

 

Both types of hydrangeas serve different purposes, but they have one thing in common – big, bold, colorful blooms that everyone can enjoy.