Hydrangea Myths Dispelled

Here are some common myths surroundinghydrangeasas well as the truths that will shine some light on what to do if you ’re face with these circumstances . See our woof for best young hydrangeas .

Myth: In Zone 6, bigleaf hydrangeas are the best bet.

If you live in Zone 5 or even Zone 6,bigleaf hydrangeasaren’t the best option — despite what the plant tag might say . With spring weather becoming more and more unpredictable , the likeliness of your plants blooming to their full potential is low . The buds , arrange on the former twelvemonth ’s growth , frequently get zapped by a belated hoar or drop in the mercury , and this upshot in zero blooms . Even new sort of H. macrophylla that set bud on novel growth can struggle , since their vegetal increment is hindered by cold springs . This result in small plants with few stems and , in turn , fewer ( if any ) flower . A good bet for cooler regions ( if you ca n’t plant in a protected spot ) ismountain hydrangea(H. serrata ) , which has a similar look .

Myth: The best time to prune a hydrangea is in spring.

Most H. macrophylla and H. serrata set their flower buds on the old twelvemonth ’s growth , which means that if you get impatient and ignore down those unsightly , seemingly numb sticks in springtime , you ’re cut off any future potential flowers . While a lack of blooms may point that your bush postulate fertilizer , the more potential understanding your bigleaf or mountain hydrangea is n’t blooming is improperpruning . To check the best prime set on these two types of hydrangeas , only cut them back right after they flower .

Myth: Hydrangeas thrive in full sun to partial shade.

Although the plant life tag end might make this claim , most hydrangeas prefer fond shade . The one exception is H. paniculata . You need only motor around a neighborhood on a red-hot day in August to see any number of hydrangeas ( H. macrophylla , H. serrata , and H. arborescens in particular ) flag in full sunlight . Even if they are irrigate frequently , this behavior go on because these broadleaved shrubs do n’t like full sun . Over time , the stress of being planted in less - than - idealistic conditions may cause them to lessen or even expire instantaneously .

Myth: Add pine needles or rusty nails to the soil to change pink blossoms to blue.

My nanna may have disaccord , but adding these item to the soil is n’t a viable elbow room to change the blossom color . The hue of hydrangeas depends on theacidity of the land . introductory or achromatic soil upshot in pink heyday , while acidic soil causes bluer bloom . Chemically , aluminum in the soil causes sepals to rick blue . Aluminum is unremarkably insoluble , but the sourness increases its mobility . So acidulous stain enables the uptake of atomic number 13 by the flora roots . add aluminum sulfate ( a source of both aluminum and acidity ) to the soil will change the blossoms from pinkish to blue . To change dispirited blossoms to rap , contribute calx ( calcium oxide ) . It takes at least one full time of year to see a minor colour alteration , and you ’ll have to use the additive every year to maintain it .

The clause was originally a sidebar to the articleThe Best New Hydrangeasfrom Issue # 189

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