Growing Hydrangeas in the Southern Plains

In our hot and dry climate, proper selection and placement are the keys to better performance

With long - lasting blooms and gorgeous foliation , hydrangeas ( Hydrangeaspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) are the heart and soul of the summertime garden . But growing hydrangeas in the hot , dry Southern Plains can be challenging . utmost heat and low humidness cause industrial plant to droop quick , while unpredictable spring and wintertime temperature threaten flower formation . But the following hint on right works excerpt , placement , and concern will help you notice achiever develop hydrangea in our rugged mood .

Sun exposure vs. water loss

One of the most ambitious aspect of growing hydrangeas in our raging climate is equilibrate Lord’s Day exposure and water loss . Too much sun and many plants droop quickly ; too little and they do n’t blossom as well . With our relatively low humidity and intense heat , the declamatory , gorgeous leaves of some hydrangeas can not take up water system fast enough to compensate for water lost to transpiration . The more sun a plant meet , the fast water transpires from the foliation .

Panicle hydrangeas can handle hot sun

This is where panicle hydrangeas ( Hydrangea paniculata , Zones 3 - 8) come in — the most sun - tolerant coinage available . Panicle hydrangeas blossom best with a half day or more of direct sun . While they are drouth large-minded and stomach up to heat energy , I still like to provide shade during the hottest part of the solar day . And just because they are drought patient of does n’t intend you should allow them wilt . As with all hydrangea , plants will thrive with veritable irrigation .

Favorite panicle hydrangeas

I ’ve had great success with Quick Fire ® panicle hydrangea ( H. paniculata‘Bulk ’ , Zones 3–8b ) , which produce white flower from June through September that grow to mystifying pink . Like other panicle hydrangeas , Quick Fire ® grows rather large , lead out at around 6 to 8 feet marvelous and all-inclusive . Plants brook heavy pruning to insure size , or you’re able to take care for a compact variety such as Bobo ® (H. paniculata‘ILVOBO ’ , Zones 3–8 ) or those in the Lavalamp ™ series . Panicle hydrangeas can accommodate to a variety of filth type as long as they are well draining .

Oakleaf hydrangeas thrive in full shade

At the opposite end of the Lord’s Day / tint spectrum is oakleaf hydrangea ( Hydrangea quercifolia , Zones 5–9 ) . My favorite of all the hydrangea , this North American aboriginal thrives in full shade , where ( unlike other hydrangeas ) it blooms stunningly . While its aboriginal chain does not go as far west as the Plains , oakleaf hydrangea is drought tolerant and stands up to heat . Plants flower for six to eight weeks , beginning in June . flush heads disappearance to ruby and are hold high well into autumn and winter .

‘ Plectrophenax nivalis ’ oakleaf hydrangea is a favorite for its flush that transition from coffee tree - colored to pure white . picture : Kim Toscano

Favorite oakleaf hydrangeas

‘ Snowflake ’ oakleaf hydrangea ( H. quercifolia‘Snowflake ’ , Zones 5 - 9 ) , also sold under ‘ Brido ’ , is a tried - and - true cultivar with stunning double blooms . It reaches a matured size of it of 5 to 8 feet marvellous and 5 to 10 foot wide . Compact variety are also available , such as ‘ Ruby Slippers ’ ( H. quercifolia‘Ruby Slippers ’ , Zones 5–9 ) , which is known to stomach more sun . While all oakleaf hydrangea stomach full Sunday , they look their best in partial to full tint . Give oakleaf hydrangeas well - drained dirt and a layer of mulch .

Avoid bigleaf hydrangea

Fluctuating spring temperature and periodical harsh winters provide another challenge to grow hydrangea in the Southern Plains , especially bigleaf hydrangea ( Hydrangea macrophylla , Zones 5–9 ) . Bigleaf hydrangea give rise those gargantuan , round blossom adore by nurseryman , but many efflorescence on onetime wood , meaning flower buds must survive irregular atmospheric condition . belated saltation freeze often kill developing bud coaxed out of dormancy by earlier warm - ups , pull up stakes us with bloomless age . The flower color of bigleaf hydrangeas is also dependent on soil pH , which can be tricky to manage .

A native that stays consistent

I like to pass over bigleaf hydrangea altogether and instead plant smooth hydrangea ( Hydrangea arborescens , Zones 3–9 ) . This species blossom on the current season ’s growth ( as does panicle hydrangea ) , so there is no concern about fall behind blooms to temperature fluctuations . It is also native as far west as eastern Kansas and Oklahoma , and it attract pollinators .

Achieving that mophead look

placid hydrangeas farm gravid , round blooms like in pattern to bigleaf hydrangeas , but the efflorescence colour is not dependent on soil pH — so what you see is what you get . Breeders have expanded the range of colors available , from the traditional green and bloodless of ‘ Annabelle ’ ( H. arborescens‘Annabelle ’ , Zones 3–9 ) to every shade of pink conceivable . There is even a lacecap variety , Invincibelle Lace ™ ( H. arborescens‘SMNHRLL ’ , Zones 3–8 ) . Smooth hydrangeas can take some sun but perform best in the “ Goldilocks ” location on the east side of the house , with morning sunshine and good afternoon wraith . Keep in mind that unruffled hydrangea as a species is susceptible to drought and perform good with even wet . Plants suppurate to about 3 to 5 feet marvelous and wide-eyed .

Stick with what grows best in your garden

While I love a grim hydrangea as much as the next person , I care to keep things simple in my garden . My alkaline territory do not support those soft blues , and my conditions makes bigleaf hydrangeas cringe . Why force the wrong works when there are so many other choices ? Plant breeders stay on to expand the range of colour and size of it of smooth , oakleaf , and panicle hydrangea . And with these three species , there ’s a hydrangea utter for just about every location in your garden .

— Kim Toscano is a horticulturalist , bug-hunter , garden designer , writer , and graphic designer . She previously hostedOklahoma horticulture , a hebdomadary PBS goggle box program get by the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service .

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Quick Fire panicle hydrangea

Choose a hydrangea that’s compatible with the conditions in your garden. Panicle hydrangeas, like this gorgeous Quick Fire®, are good for sunnier locations.Photo: Steve Aitken

sunny mixed border with a hydrangea