Blue Hydrangea - Hydrangea macrophylla 'Nikko Blue'

Blue hydrangeas are your go-to choice for elegant flowering shrubs. When shopping for a shrub with old-fashioned charm, this is one of the most elegant. They are easy to cultivate, grow in almost any soil, and produce abundant dinnerplate-size blue snowball blooms throughout the warm season and into autumn.

How to Grow Blue Hydrangeas

These drought-resistant bushes can grow out in direct sunlight or filtered shade. They grow quickly and mature to 15 feet high and 10 feet wide. The blooms are in Spring and Summer, even into Fall, and are dinner plates in size. These shrubs do exceptionally well in zones 5-9, making them versatile and an excellent choice for even cooler winter zones.

Blue Hydrangea Planting Season

Since hydrangeas are relatively large shrubs, giving them enough time to develop a healthy root is essential. This is why it is best to plant hydrangeas in spring or fall, but they can also be planted anytime in the Spring or Fall season.

Where to Plant

These versatile shrubs do best when planted along a fence, near home, or as a border. They can be grown in direct and open sunlight or filtered shade, making them a favorite for many homeowners who do not have the "perfect" solution for many flowering shrubs.

Growing them along the fence clears them from the harsh afternoon heat. They are perennials that often thrive in hardiness zones 5-9.

Soil Recommendations 

 As revealed above, they can withstand almost any soil type. They thrive in soil rich in organic materials, and the ground should also have good drainage since the hydrangeas grow well in moist soil. However, the shrubs are intolerant to waterlogged soil because the roots tend to rot quickly. To improve soil quality, prepare your soil using a mixture of abundant compost before planting.

 Blooming Season

 They have varied blooming seasons, depending on the planting zone and the cultivar. Most bud from mid-spring to early summer. In hot regions, these shrubs stop budding in summer due to the heat intensity and bloom again in the fall.

 How to Control the Blooming Color

 They are unique plants in that you can control their colors. However, not all hydrangeas can withstand color adjustments. If you want to increase the strength of the color of your shrubs, you need to lower your soil’s pH levels. By reducing the soil’s pH, the hydrangeas can absorb enough aluminum from the ground, thus giving them a beautiful blue color.

Fertilizer and Care

Adding peat moss or sulfur to the soil can lower the PH level. You can add aluminum sulfate throughout the growing season to make them shinier. Indoor Cultivation: If you want to grow them inside your house in a pot, choose a non-porous container about 18 inches wide to accommodate the plants’ maturity size.

 A non-porous container or pot helps retain the moisture needed for the Blue Hydrangea to mature. It would be best if you also created drainage holes to allow the proper drainage of the excess water.

This Is How Your Plants Will Look upon Delivery

Bloom Season

Summer

Bloom/Foliage Color

Blue

Height at Maturity

Under 10 Feet

Care

Blue hydrangeas thrive in well-drained, moist soil with a slightly acidic pH. It's important to regularly water them to keep the soil moist, especially during dry spells. After they bloom, prune them to maintain their shape and promote new growth. In the spring, be sure to fertilize them to encourage vibrant blooms.

Plant Reproduction

Blue Hydrangea spreads through underground rhizomes and root ball division.

How to Grow and Care for Bare Root Shrubs

Bare root shrubs are a budget-friendly and efficient way to plant during the cooler months when they’re dormant. Before planting, soak the roots in water for 3–6 hours to rehydrate them. Choose a site with the appropriate light exposure for the species—most flowering shrubs prefer full to partial sun. Dig a hole wide enough to spread out the roots and deep enough so the crown (where the roots meet the stems) sits level with the soil surface.

Mound a bit of soil at the bottom of the hole, spread the roots over it, and backfill with native soil while gently firming it to remove air pockets. Water deeply after planting to settle the roots. Keep the soil moist but not soggy during the first growing season to encourage healthy establishment.

Mulch around the base (not touching the stems) to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Prune lightly to remove any broken branches and to shape after the first flush of growth. With minimal care, bare root shrubs will leaf out beautifully and grow into reliable, long-term landscape anchors.

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