Hydrangea

The name hydrangea refers to approximately 70 to 75 different species of flowering shrubs indigenous to Asia which are very popular landscaping options in the United States. These flowering shrubs bloom through summer and fall and come in a variety of sizes and colors.

Popular Species of Hydrangea

Although there are many different species of hydrangea the three most popular species used in modern landscaping designs include:

• Hydrangea Macrophylla, known as the bigleaf hydrangea. Produces white, blue or red blossoms in the late summer or early fall. These blossoms may be 4-10 inches across. They thrive in zones 6-9 and require a mix of sun and shade as well as moist soil with a pH of 5.0-6.5.
• Hydrangea Quercifolia, known as the oakleaf hydrangea. Produces green blossoms in late June. These blossoms are conical in shape and may be 4-12 inches in width and over one foot in height. The blossoms later turn white and then pink or purple in the fall. Oakleaf hydrangeas thrive in zones 5-8 and require a mix of sun and shade as well as moist soil with a pH of 5.0-6.5.
• Hydrangea Paniculata, known as the panicle hydrangea. Produces white blossoms. These blossoms are pyramidal in shape and may be 6-10 inches across. They typically bloom in midsummer and thrive in zones 3-7 and require full sun without any shade as well as moist soil with a pH of 5.0-6.5.

Caring for Hydrangea

Care for hydrangea depends on the species of hydrangea. Before investing in hydrangeas, homeowners should investigate which species thrive best in their climate and environment. Care should be taken when planting hydrangeas to ensure they are in a location where they will receive the correct amounts of sun and shade. Care for hydrangeas in the blooming season involves:

Keeping the plant adequately watered according to the recommendations for the particular species
Providing the required amounts of sun and shade.

One interesting fact involving hydrangea care is the blossoms on some species can change color based on the pH of the soil. Less acidic soil can change blue blossoms to pink while more acidic soil can have the reverse effect. Changing the color of the blossoms is not an instantaneous process. Care should be taken to change the pH of the soil before the flowers bloom for the season.

Proper amounts of water, shade and sunlight are necessary in the care of a blooming hydrangea, but these flowering shrubs also require proper maintenance and pruning when they are not in season. When pruning a hydrangea, the stems which produced flowers during the previous season should be trimmed back while stems which did not produce blossoms should not be pruned.

By Mary Stasiewicz