7 Professional Tips for Caring for Hydrangeas: A Guide for Growing Flowering Shrubs

Hydrangeas are popular flowering shrubs known for their striking blooms and easy maintenance. With the right care, these beautiful plants can thrive and add a pop of color to any garden or landscape. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a beginner, here are 7 pro tips for caring for hydrangeas and ensuring they bloom to their full potential.

1. Choose the right location
Hydrangeas thrive in well-drained soil and prefer partial shade. When selecting a location for your hydrangea plant, choose an area that receives morning sun and afternoon shade. Avoid planting them in full sun, as this can cause the plant to wilt and dry out. It’s also important to make sure the soil is well-drained, as hydrangeas are not tolerant of waterlogged conditions. If you have heavy clay soil, consider amending it with compost or organic matter to improve drainage.

2. Water regularly
Hydrangeas are thirsty plants and require regular watering, especially during hot summer months. Aim to water your hydrangeas deeply once or twice a week, rather than relying on shallow, frequent watering. This will encourage the plant to develop deep roots and increase its resilience to dry conditions. To prevent overwatering, make sure the soil is dry to the touch before watering again. Mulching around the base of the plant can also help retain moisture and keep the roots cool.

3. Prune at the right time
Pruning hydrangeas at the wrong time can result in fewer blooms the following season. The best time to prune hydrangeas depends on the variety you have planted. For hydrangeas that bloom on old wood, such as mophead or lacecap varieties, it’s best to prune immediately after they finish flowering in late summer or early fall. This will give the plant time to develop new buds for the following year. For hydrangeas that bloom on new wood, such as panicle or smooth hydrangeas, pruning can be done in late winter or early spring before new growth begins.

4. Feed with the right nutrients
To promote healthy growth and abundant blooms, it’s important to feed your hydrangeas with the right nutrients. A balanced fertilizer with equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium is recommended for most hydrangea varieties. Apply fertilizer in early spring before new growth begins, and again in mid-summer to support blooming. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, as these can encourage excessive leaf growth at the expense of flowers. Organic fertilizers, such as compost or manure, can also be beneficial for hydrangeas and provide slow-release nutrients to the plant.

5. Adjust the pH of the soil
The pH level of the soil can have a big impact on the color of hydrangea blooms. In acidic soil with a pH of 5.5 or lower, hydrangeas will produce blue flowers, while in alkaline soil with a pH of 6.5 or higher, they will produce pink flowers. To adjust the pH of the soil and change the color of your hydrangea blooms, you can add aluminum sulfate to acidify the soil and encourage blue flowers, or add lime to alkalize the soil and encourage pink flowers. It’s important to test the pH of the soil before making any adjustments, as excessive manipulation can harm the plant.

6. Protect from pests and diseases
Hydrangeas are relatively pest and disease-resistant plants, but they can still be susceptible to certain issues. Common pests that may affect hydrangeas include aphids, spider mites, and slugs, which can be controlled with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Powdery mildew and botrytis blight are common fungal diseases that can affect hydrangeas, especially in humid conditions. To prevent these diseases, avoid overhead watering, provide good air circulation around the plant, and remove any affected leaves or flowers promptly.

7. Deadhead spent blooms
Deadheading is the process of removing spent blooms from the plant to encourage new growth and prolong flowering. For most hydrangea varieties, deadheading can be done by cutting the flower stem just above a set of healthy leaves. This will redirect the plant’s energy towards producing new buds and blooms, rather than producing seeds. Deadheading should be done regularly throughout the blooming season to keep the plant looking neat and encourage continuous flowering.

In conclusion, caring for hydrangeas doesn’t have to be difficult. With the right location, proper watering, pruning, feeding, soil adjustments, pest and disease control, and deadheading, your hydrangeas can thrive and produce beautiful blooms year after year. By following these pro tips, you can enjoy a garden full of colorful and healthy hydrangeas that will be the envy of your neighbors.