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Here you will find everything you need to know about caring for and cutting hydrangeas in pots and in beds. We also show our expert tips for choosing a variety.

The genus of hydrangeas (Hydrangea) includes over 70 different species, most of which originally come from East Asian regions. All species are woody plants that can grow in different ways - for example as a shrub or they conquer lofty heights by climbing. Here you can find out everything about hydrangeas.

The flowers of the hydrangea are usually arranged in panicles or umbel-like inflorescences. The obvious, larger flowers, which make up the actual ornamental value, are only so-called pseudo-flowers. The actual flowers, which contribute to seed development, are hidden inside the inflorescence and are not visible at first glance. In the following, we want to take a closer look at the hydrangea and present everything you need to know, from the choice of variety to planting and caring for the hydrangea.

Hydrangea species and varieties

All relevant species are deciduous shrubs, which means that they are leafy in summer and shed their leaves in winter. The star among the hydrangeas is the species Hydrangea macrophylla originally from Japan - also better known as the peasant hydrangea. Their characteristic inflorescences are either spherical, but can also be flat like a plate and less heavily studded with the large ornamental flowers. In addition to the peasant hydrangea, the panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata) and the snowball hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens) are also very popular. If you not only want beautiful flowers, but also want special foliage, then oakleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia) are the right choice. In addition to the so-called velvet hydrangea (Hydrangea sargentiana), whose name comes from its soft leaves, there are also climbing hydrangeas (Hydrangea petiolaris) and Japanese Tea Hydrangeas (Hydrangea serrata).

In this article, we will give you an overview of the various types of hydrangea mentioned.

TheHydrangea 'Grandiflora' bears particularly large panicle-shaped flowers

Plant Hydrangeas

In the following you will find out which location and which soil conditions the hydrangea needs. We also show the differences between planting hydrangeas in pots and beds.

Planting hydrangeas in the bed

As for the soil in which the hydrangea is to take root, it has to meet somewhat specific requirements. If the pH is between 4 and 5, it is optimal. If the hydrangeas are to shine in a strong blue or purple, the pH value of the soil can generally be slightly lower than for pink, red or white hydrangea varieties. If the pH value is a little more alkaline, this does not have any life-threatening effects on the growth of the hydrangea, but it can lead to deficiency symptoms or not to the desired color development. In addition to the right pH value, hydrangeas also need an adequate water supply, otherwise dry damage can quickly occur. Therefore, it is beneficial to choose a site where the soil has good water retention abilities. However, the subsoil must not tend to become waterlogged, as this could quickly lead to root rot and the hydrangea dying off.

Hydrangeas can be planted in a border or in a pot

Once you have found the right location, you should first think through how to proceed. In soils with too high a pH value, it may be advisable to dig a slightly larger hole. This leaves room for some substrate with a suitable pH value, such as rhododendron earth. Before and after planting, the hydrangea should be well watered. The soil around the planting can be loosened a little to make it easier for the hydrangea to take root. Under no circumstances should the loosened soil around the hydrangea be compacted with vigorous kicks to help it hold onto the ground.

Planting hydrangeas in pots

In terms of site requirements, it makes no difference whether the hydrangea is planted in a container or in a bed. Especially in the pot, she is happy when her wish for a semi-shady location can be fulfilled. Because when cultured in a pot, the hydrangea has to be watered more often than is the case in the bed. Therefore, the planter should not be selected too small. Here, too, it is advisable to use rhododendron soil for planting. For an optimal water supply right from the start, the hydrangea can be immersed in a bucket filled with water before planting. theThe plant is kept completely under water until no more air bubbles rise. After planting, you should water the hydrangea well again so that the loosened substrate settles and the roots have access to water and nutrients.

You can find more detailed information on planting hydrangeas in our special article.

The planter for hydrangeas should not be too small

Hydrangeas on the balcony

If you planted your hydrangea in a pot, you can also place the decorative plant on the balcony. Since hydrangeas prefer shady locations, an east, west or north-facing balcony is the right choice. If you want to keep your hydrangea on a south-facing balcony, you should shade it from the midday sun and make sure it is adequately watered.

Caring for Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas are reliable flowering classics in the garden - but only with the right care. From watering to fertilizing to cutting, you will learn everything about the correct handling of the beautiful hydrangeas. You can also find general tips for the correct care of hydrangeas here in our special article.

Watering hydrangeas

Hydrangeas are thirsty and need regular watering. Especially in hot summer temperatures, hydrangeas in pots may need to be watered several times a day. Hydrangeas that are planted in the bed can then groan from a lack of water and should be watered regularly to avoid unwanted dry damage such as dried leaves and flowers. You can find more detailed information on watering hydrangeas in our special article.

Hydrangeas are happy about sufficient rainwater from the watering can

Fertilize hydrangeas

Any type of hydrangea can develop into a he althy and vigorously flowering beauty with the right fertilization. In addition, the basis for the flower color is laid for the popular farmer's hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla). This is mainly influenced by soil pH and to a lesser extent by fertilization.

An organic long-term fertilizer should already be incorporated when planting the hydrangea. The slowly released nutrients and the activation of the soil life are a good basis for the establishment of the new planting at the new location. By the way, hydrangeas are planted either in spring (March - May) or in autumn (October - November). Established hydrangeas are fertilized outdoors once a year, in the pottwice a year because of the smaller substrate volume. Our Plantura organic hydrangea fertilizer is also such an organic long-term fertilizer. It is based on animal-free raw materials from the food, luxury goods and animal feed industries as well as mineral components that are also used in organic farming and provides your hydrangea with all the important nutrients.

You can find more information about fertilizing hydrangeas and detailed instructions in this article on the subject.

You can find out here what influence substrate and fertilization can have on the flower color of hydrangeas and how you can even dye the flowers blue.

Pruning Hydrangeas

The right cut is essential for magnificent flowers. Hydrangeas can be pruned in either fall or spring. In order to determine the right time, one should first know which hydrangea species it is. Farmer's hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) and oakleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia) develop their flowers for next year in autumn. So they bloom on the previous year's wood. If you cut back too much here, it can mean the loss of the beautiful flowers. Panicle (Hydrangea paniculata) or snowball hydrangeas (Hydrangea arborescens), on the other hand, bloom on so-called annual wood - that is, they form their flowers in the same year they bloom. So these two popular hydrangeas are among the species that can be pruned without hesitation.

Here you will find all the important information about pruning your hydrangea.

The right pruning is crucial for magnificent hydrangea flowers

Winter hydrangeas

As a rule, you can be sure that all hydrangea species offered in Germany are reasonably hardy. In this case, reasonably means that frost damage is unfortunately quite possible and can also affect the flowering. To avoid this, you should note the following:

  • Already when planting, a sheltered place in the semi-shade should be chosen.
  • Winter protection made of leaves, a jute sack, fir branches or mulch protects the plant. Above all, always cover the outer shoots that are close to the ground.
  • Fertilizing with mineral nitrogen is taboo from mid-July. Organic fertilizers can be used well into August.
  • The fertilizer used should have a sufficiently high potassium content, as this is essential for frost resistanceis.
  • Even if the temperatures rise, you should not completely remove the winter protection until the end of the ice saints (May 11th to 15th). Have the jute sack ready for frosty nights. Of course, it is possible and important to expose the plant in the first warm weeks.
  • Hydrangeas in pots are protected in the same way as their outdoor relatives. In addition, they should spend the winter in sheltered garden areas. Containers with a diameter of less than 35 centimeters are best overwintered in a shed or garage in a frost-free place (3 - 5 °C).

You can find additional information on overwintering hydrangeas in this special article.

For a successful overwintering, hydrangeas usually need frost protection

Propagating Hydrangeas

For vegetative propagation of hydrangeas (Hydrangea) you already need access to a hydrangea plant that you want to propagate. Accordingly, vegetative propagation creates clones of the beloved hydrangea from your own garden. In principle, hydrangeas can be propagated either by division, by layering or by cuttings.

In this article you can find out exactly how the methods mentioned for propagating hydrangeas work.

Pests and Diseases of Hydrangeas

With good care, hydrangeas are generally not particularly susceptible to diseases and pests. If your hydrangea is nevertheless affected, we will show you what you can do to prevent yellow leaves and mealybugs on hydrangeas.

If your hydrangea's leaves are turning yellow, the cause may be an iron deficiency, also known as chlorosis. Such chlorosis is often found in hydrangeas in particular. This is usually caused by a nutrient deficiency. The missing nutrient in hydrangeas is almost exclusively iron, although there is almost always enough of it in the natural soil. The reason for the deficiency is therefore not a lack of iron in the soil, but that the hydrangea cannot absorb the iron that is present. You can find out how such an iron deficiency can be corrected here.

Mealybugs (Pseudococcidae) are also often called mealybugs and particularly like to sit on our hydrangeas. They are very easy to spot as they are surrounded by a white web that resembles tiny white hairs or lint. Mealybugs attach themselves to the plants and then ingest the plant sap, which can transmit harmful viruses to the plants.By sucking, the affected leaves turn yellow and eventually fall off. If the infestation with mealybugs is very severe, the hydrangeas can even die. You can find out how to combat mealybugs on hydrangeas here.

Hydrangea blooming season: what to do if the hydrangea doesn't bloom?

If there are no romantic blooms in the garden, there can be various reasons. Usually the problem lies in the maintenance or the location and can be remedied with little effort. If your hydrangea doesn't bloom, it's worth checking the location and nutrient supply first. A low pH and adequate nutrient supply, with an emphasis on nitrogen, potassium and trace elements, are particularly important for beautiful flowers. Fertilizers specially tailored to hydrangeas provide the best care for the plants. However, insufficient or excessive water supply can also be responsible for inhibiting flowering.

Further reasons for the lack of flowering can lie in various care measures, such as incorrect pruning or insufficient frost protection. Most hydrangeas already put on their new buds in autumn and should therefore only be freed from dead wood and old inflorescences during this period. As far as frost is concerned, the late spring frost is particularly dangerous for the flowers. During this time, the bracts are already opening and the flower is inevitably at the mercy of the frost. It is therefore advisable to cover the plants with a fleece at low temperatures. In the event of incorrect pruning or frost damage, the flowers can usually not be saved and you have to be patient for another year to admire the beautiful flowers. For more detailed hydrangea bloom tips, click here.

Drying Hydrangeas

The impressive flowers of the hydrangea can be preserved and thus serve as a great decorative element. By drying, the decorative blossoms can become a permanent companion in the home - even in months outside of the hydrangea season. It is important that the flowers are harvested in full bloom and before they wither. Keep in mind that the shoot from which you harvest the flower will probably not grow a flower the following year. The lower you cut the shoot, the less likely it will flower next year. You can find three different tips on how to dry hydrangea blossoms in this special article.

Dried hydrangea flowers are ideal for decoration

Are hydrangeasbee friendly?

As mentioned, the actual flowers of the hydrangea are in the middle of the beautiful false flowers. In principle, these have a rather moderate supply of pollen and nectar. Unfortunately the numerous hybrid forms and varieties of hydrangea are often re-bred, sexless forms that are completely uninteresting for pollinators. This is because breeding focuses on ornamental foliage rather than nourishing buds.

We at Plantura recommend the following products for hydrangeas:

  • Floragard Endless Summer hydrangea soil pink & white: special soil for he althy and strong hydrangeas. The clay granules improve air and water circulation.
  • Floragard Endless Summer hydrangea soil blue: special soil for he althy and strong hydrangeas. Aluminum fertilizer keeps the strong, bright blue blooms in the long term. The clay granules improve air and water circulation.
  • Floragard Compost Soil: Special soil made from weed-free premium compost and selected peat qualities. It supplies your plants with all the important nutrients over a long period of time and evenly, and the high humus content makes light and heavy soil fertile.
Floragard Endless Summer hydrangea soil blue 20 L€7.99Details →Floragard compost soil 60 L€9.99Details →

Is hydrangea poisonous?

Hydrangeas contain various substances that can cause symptoms if consumed in excess or in the event of an allergy through contact. These include the glycoside hydrangin, saponins, the iso-coumarin hydrangenol and hydrocyanic acid. With appropriate precautions, however, hydrangeas can still be planted in the garden without any problems. It is important to always keep a watchful eye on children and to explain to them that the colorful flowers are a beautiful decoration, but not edible. Since hydrangeas are also poisonous to animals, an inaccessible location or fence can also be good precautions.

Nevertheless, the same applies to hydrangeas: the poison is in the dose. Serious poisoning usually occurs only when large quantities are consumed. However, since the flowers and leaves, which have the highest concentration of toxins, taste very bitter, large quantities are usually not consumed. It is different for people or animals who are sensitive or allergic to hydrangeas. At aThe immune system reacts excessively to contact allergies and the affected area of skin begins to itch or burn, for example. Typical symptoms of excessive consumption of hydrangeas are dizziness, anxiety, shortness of breath, cramps or circulatory problems. If these symptoms occur, an ambulance should be called in any case, but even if the symptoms are mild, it is advisable to see a doctor as a precaution.

You can find more detailed information on the toxicity of hydrangeas here.

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