In looking back over my blog topics, I found that I never did a blog on hydrangea plants. This is an obvious oversight on my part. This lovely summer blooming plant has large showy flowers in the colors of lime, pink, frosty white, violet or rose. Sometimes you can even amend the soil to get a different colored flower or a deeper tone of the hue.
There are over 75 species of hydrangeas and so the care is a little different for each type. However, they are said to grow best in fertile, well-drained soil.
Hydrangea Plants Video Clinic
Today was David Yost’s online clinic on hydrangeas. He is a Plant Specialist at Merrifield Garden Center and always gives informative lectures on different plant topics.
I learned a lot about hydrangeas. So, I am going to write a little bit about what I learned.
There are different types of hydrangea plants with different pruning schedules. Some plants flower on last year’s stems and others on this year’s stems so careful pruning is suggested.
You need to do your homework when adding a hydrangea plant to your yard, because some are more cold resistant than others.
When you buy a hydrangea plant in a grocery store, that plant was grown for its blooms in a greenhouse setting. It might not be climate compatible to your area. Some hydrangea plants also do better if they are protected and wrapped against the cold weather.
Deer also like to eat hydrangea plants so you might need to try some deer repellant or liquid fence-type sprays on your plants.
Hydrangea plants require more care than other plants but are quite lovely in their own way.
Hydrangea Plants for Small Areas
New varieties called Munchkin, a white hydrangea, and Ruby Slippers, a pink hydrangea, are great for planting in small areas.
I, also, thought I would add some information on how to dry hydrangea blooms.
The below photograph shows Little Lime Punch, Panicle Hydrangeas and a Pugster Amethyst, a dwarf butterfly bush, at Merrifield Garden Center.
How to Dry Hydrangea Blooms
Dry hydrangea blooms are quite attractive in arrangements, wreaths or in used other ways. The dried flowers will last anywhere from a year or two.
See the below directions for drying the blooms.
- Cut flower heads.
- Remove leaves, hang upside down in a dry dark, room.
- When completely dry, store blooms in a dry location.
- To enhance the bloom’s color, lightly spray with diluted fabric dye and thoroughly dry before using.
Ending Notes on Hydrangeas Plant Blog
I’m looking for garden plants needing little to no watering/drought resistant, no pruning required, are not bothered by insects, leaf spots or deer. So I don’t think hydrangeas would work for me. I have a “lazy gal’s garden”.
However, I do have a special place in my heart for them since I used dried hydrangeas in the flower baskets arrangement on the tables at my wedding reception. They turned out to be on the brownish side but I guess I should have sprayed them with fabric dye to brighten the pink color.
I see online that many places, also, sell faux hydrangea blooms. I currently have four artificial hydrangea blooms in a vase in my living room for those who want the flowers but none of the work.
A Big Thank You to David Yost, Plant Specialist, at Merrifield Garden Center for his free informative lecture on Hydrangea Plants. Also, thank you to Merrifield Garden Center where photographs #1, 3, 4 and 5 were taken.
Resource Sites: www.house.beatiful, www.almanac.com