Hydrangea Plant Highlight
Hydrangea shrubs are interesting year-round in the garden as the shrub flowers spring through fall and winter seedheads remain attractive.
Botanical and Common Name: Hydrangea species plants are usually called by their botonical name.
Plant Category: Hydrangeas are deciduous shrubs which means they loose their leaves in the winter.
Bloom Time and Color: Hydrangeas can bloom from early spring through early fall.
Foliage: Hydrangea shrubs usually have large leaves that are oval, slightly heart shaped, or moderately lobed like an oak leaf.
Growth Habit: Hydrangea shrubs can grow in full, bushy clumps that add a bold leaved texture to container, bed or border.
Dimensions: Dwarf forms grow only a couple feet tall and are suitable for large containers, however most Hydrangea shrubs grow 5-8' tall and 6-10' wide.
Preferred Conditions: Hardy in zones 3-10 depending on the cultivar. Hydrangea shrubs prefer rich, moist soil and part-shade although full sun is tolerated in cooler climates. Soil PH between 4.5 to 5 will turn the flower clusters of some hydrangeas blue while soil PH above 6.3 will turn the hydrangea flowers pink.
Maintenance: Hydrangea shrubs are easy to grow as long as they are provided enough water. Prune lightly as needed to removed dead or damaged branches, and control the suckering tendencies of some hydrangeas.
Pests or Diseases: Powdery mildew can be a problem for hydrangea bushes so be sure to check for infected leaves which should be removed and disposed of safely (not in your compost bin).
Propagation Methods: Hydrangea shrubs are usually best purchased as started plants but are easily stressed by drought conditions so be sure to buy healthy plants.
Companion Plants: Hydrangea shrubs can be planted in acidic soil and make great foreground accent plants in front of evergreen shrubs like Camellias or azaleas. Other moist-loving, shade tolerant plants include Dicentra (Bleeding Heart), Hellebores, or Ferns.
Seasons of Interest: Hydrangea shrubs are interesting year-round in the garden as the shrub flowers spring through fall and winter seedheads remain attractive.
Uses in the Garden: Use hydrangeas as a floral accent in the middle of a bed or border in front of evergreen trees or evergreen shrubs. Or plant hydrangea shrubs as under story plantings beneath deciduous or woodland trees.
Other Hydrangea Uses: The large flower clusters that hydrangea shrubs produce are often dried for indoor flower arrangements or used in crafts.
Varieties and Cultivars:
ENDLESS SUMMER HYDRNGEAS
Endless Summer Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla 'Bailmer') - Zones 4-8. A very winter-hardy hydrangea shrub, the Endless Summer Hydrangea blooms on both old and new wood allowing gardeners the chance for several weeks of charming blooms. A compact hydrangea shrub, Endless Summer grows about 3-5' tall and wide.
Blushing Bride Endless Summer Hydrangea (H. macrophylla 'Blushing Bride') - Similar to the original Endless Summer, Blushing Bride Hydrangea has large, white flower heads that mature to a blush pink or pale blue color depending on the acidity of the soil.
Twist and Shout Endless Summer Hydrangea (H. macrophylla 'Piihm-I') - A stunning addition to the Endless Summer Hydrangea family, Twist and Shout Hydrangeas have dark pink centers to the flower heads that open into individual flowers of medium pink or medium blue. The foliage turns red each fall providing a compliment to the red stems that can be left standing all winter. A great four-season landscape shrub.
FOREEVER & EVER HYDRNGEAS
Early Sensation Forever & Ever Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla 'Early Sensation') - Zones 5-9. The original hydrangea from the Forever & Ever series, Early Sensation Hydrangea blooms on both old and new wood. While the Forever & Ever Hydrangeas stay compact in size at only 4' tall and wide, they have large, attractive flower clusters for many weeks throughout the year
Blue Heaven Forever & Ever Hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla 'Forever & Ever') - Huge, 12" flower clusters make Blue Heaven Hydrangea a real stand-out in the landscape, and the flowers are perfect for indoor, cut flower arrangements.
White Out Forever & Ever Hydrangea (H. macrophylla 'White Out') - New for 2009, this amazing hydrangea has 8" mophead flower clusters in one of the truest whites available in a hydrangea shrub.
Red Sensation Forever & Ever Hydrangea (H. macrophylla 'Red Sensation') - A uniquely colored hydrangea, this shrub blooms with burgundy red flowers that fade to a deep, near purple color.
Together Forever & Ever (H. macrophylla 'REI 05') - One of the most outstanding double-blooming hydrangeas, 'Together' will bloom in blue or pink with flower clusters 8" across.
Peppermint Forever & Ever (H macrophylla 'REI 14') - A graceful bicolor hydrangea, 'Peppermint' is highly unusual. Large 10" flower clusters are made up of charming pink (or blue) flowers with white edges on each petal. Amazing two toned flowers are now available on a hydrangea!
For a complete list of all our Hydrangeas
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