As You Sow, So You Will Reap: The Basics of Hydrangea Care
An old-fashioned favorite, Hydrangeas remains an all-time darling of garden enthusiasts.
As an individual specimen placed in a border, or part of a woodland garden, they are everlasting beauties. The flowers can be dried and enjoyed year-round. As a bonus, they are super easy to grow by following these simple basics of Hydrangea care.
Planting Tips
Hydrangeas love the shade. They prefer moderately fertile and well-moistened soil. A fun aspect of these beauties is that the soil's acidity can control the color of the flowers. Alkaline soil produces pink flowers, while acidic soil produces blue flowers. The top of the root ball should be level with the surface of the ground.
Maintenance
Pruning should be done as each flower fades. Many varieties of Hydrangeas grow flower buds at the end of the season for the following year. I am waiting to could result in these new shoots being lopped off. That is a common cause of Hydrangeas failing to bloom.
Adding Aluminum Sulfate to the soil will produce blue flowers. One tablespoon dissolved in a gallon of water should be sufficient. It would be best if you used caution not to splash the solution on the leaves.
Adding lime to the soil will produce pink flowers. Again, add one tablespoon of Hydrated Lime to a gallon of water. These treatments should be carried out in the early spring.
Hydrangeas love water, so it should be provided at the time of planting and frequently throughout the growing season.
Special Concerns
Hydrangeas are susceptible to a wide variety of bugs and diseases. It would be best if you took care to observe foliage for any signs of problems. It can be a good idea to bring a sample to the nursery expert for advice. Treatments can be chemically-based or organic, depending on user preference. As always, such products should be used with discretion if some small children or pets have access to the garden.
Bugs:
Aphids
Four Lined Plant Bugs
Slugs
Snails
Spider Mites
Thrips
White Flies
Diseases:
Bud Rot
Powdery Mildew
Rust
Other various plant viruses
Caring for Hydrangeas is well worth the effort. By following a few basic rules, it is simple to prevent minor problems. An elegant and long-lasting plant will provide years of lasting beauty.
Source to Buy Hydrangeas
https://www.tnnursery.net
