Written by Lynne Merrill
If there were a competition among shrubs for the favorite, there’s one that would be deemed No. 1. It’s the hydrangea. When it comes to variety, color, performance, adaptability, size, and utilitarian considerations, the hydrangea has no competition. And that’s not to mention its endurance quality.
Let’s take variety as one of the hydrangea’s attributes. Using more common references, there are the old-fashioned Annabelles, the oakleaf, the pom-pom, the PeeGee, the black-stemmed, the everblooming, the climbing, as well as the popular lacecaps. There is even a dwarf hydrangea. So, whatever your choice, there is a variety of this shrub for everyone!
When it comes to color, the hydrangea also offers great variety. Colors to choose from include snow white, cameo white, green, pink, blue, rose, and even more recently, the “reds.” Moreover, depending on the pH of the soil where you plant it, you may be able to change the color of your hydrangea. For mophead hydrangeas, if the soil is alkaline (high pH), the blooms will be pink, and if it’s acidic (low pH), they will be blue. Add lime to make less acid for pink flowers. Keep in mind, though, that some varieties will not change color. The Invincibelle Spirit hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens), for example, will always have pink blossoms, no matter the soil.
Performance is another consideration when choosing a shrub, and hydrangea are at the top of the list in that category as well. Any of the Hydrangea paniculata cultivars have a long-blooming show that starts with creamy white and ends with various shades of dramatic pink. This variety will bloom profusely and hold its blooms from the middle of summer until late fall. Other varieties begin blooming in the spring. The variety H. macrophylla ‘Endless Summer’ blooms continuously, as its name implies.
As the name indicates — think of the root word “hydra” — hydrangeas love water and will enjoy as much moisture as any plant can tolerate, as long as the soil is not soggy. However, the hydrangea also does very well in draught conditions. Because of its adaptability to climate changes, it is a top performer in zones three through nine — quite a spread! Its condition requirements range from full sun to partial shade, and it prefers moist, well-drained soil. Some hydrangeas additionally have a cold-weather toughness that other shrubs may not have.
Most varieties grow from three to five feet tall and wide, while some are even larger or smaller. That means that the hydrangea can fulfill lots of possibilities in your garden. It can stand alone in a container or in the ground as a focal point, or it can be a showoff with lots of company from other shrubs, perennials, annuals, or bulbs. The climbing hydrangea can even attach itself and grow up against a tree or wall for a beautiful backdrop.
It’s understandable that its size lends itself to many adaptations. The size of the plant is one feature and the size of the blooms is another. Flower heads on the ‘Annabelle’ smooth hydrangea are about one foot in diameter. The trouble with this variety is the weight of the flower heads — they begin to droop. To solve this, new varieties have been produced with stronger stems. The new variety ‘Invincibelle’ is a cross between the ‘Annabelle’ and an arborescens variety. Another cross with the ‘Annabelle’ produced a variety with an even bigger bloom called ‘Incrediball.’ Some smaller heads can be found on ‘Endless Summer’ and other dwarf varieties. H. paniculata is 12 to 20 feet tall and wide — not so good in a garden. This one has magnificent six- to 15-inch white blooms that cover arching limbs. They change from greenish white to pinkish red. Two worthy types are ‘Limelight’ and ‘Little Lamb.’ Wavy, white florets (the tiny parts of the whole flower head) can be up to four inches across on the giant star-shaped flowers called H. paniculata Great Star (‘Le Vasterival’). It reaches six to seven feet tall and seven to eight feet wide. This hydrangea flowers from mid-summer until the first hard frost.
Considering its adaptability and size, hydrangeas can be used in many and varied ways. Some practical uses that are innovative as well as creative involve lining a long driveway on either side with H. paniculata ‘Limelights,’ for example, or creating a popular “outdoor room” defined by a grouping of H. macrophylla in a crescent shape for privacy. Another option is to plant climbing hydrangea (H. petiolaris) on either side of an arbor to frame that structure. Finally, the H. lacecap ‘Bluebird’ has the ability to command attention even in a simple container by the back door.
A simple pruning guide is as follows:
- H. Macrophylla – Late winter/early spring
- H. Arborescens – In early March, entire plant to six to 12 inches
- H. Paniculata – In early March, large blooms; No pruning, small blooms
- H. Quercifolia – If needed, after blooming
One more advantage of the hydrangea is its longevity. If you cannot do without them in the winter, you can dry them and bring them indoors. If you cut mopheads after July 4, strip the leaves and place in a dark, dry room. For later-forming blossoms, wait until bracts feel papery on the tips. You can also put the stem in a container with about one inch of water and let the water evaporate.
To research more information about the hydrangea shrub, just Google it. Information abounds, and it’s easy to find. Everyone loves hydrangea, and why not?
********
Lynne Merrill is a National Garden Club judge and past president of the Rhode Island Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc. She lives in Middletown, R.I.
If there were a competition among shrubs for the favorite, there’s one that would be deemed No. 1. It’s the hydrangea. When it comes to variety, color, performance, adaptability, size, and utilitarian considerations, the hydrangea has no competition. And that’s not to mention its endurance quality.
Let’s take variety as one of the hydrangea’s attributes. Using more common references, there are the old-fashioned Annabelles, the oakleaf, the pom-pom, the PeeGee, the black-stemmed, the everblooming, the climbing, as well as the popular lacecaps. There is even a dwarf hydrangea. So, whatever your choice, there is a variety of this shrub for everyone!
When it comes to color, the hydrangea also offers great variety. Colors to choose from include snow white, cameo white, green, pink, blue, rose, and even more recently, the “reds.” Moreover, depending on the pH of the soil where you plant it, you may be able to change the color of your hydrangea. For mophead hydrangeas, if the soil is alkaline (high pH), the blooms will be pink, and if it’s acidic (low pH), they will be blue. Add lime to make less acid for pink flowers. Keep in mind, though, that some varieties will not change color. The Invincibelle Spirit hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens), for example, will always have pink blossoms, no matter the soil.
Performance is another consideration when choosing a shrub, and hydrangea are at the top of the list in that category as well. Any of the Hydrangea paniculata cultivars have a long-blooming show that starts with creamy white and ends with various shades of dramatic pink. This variety will bloom profusely and hold its blooms from the middle of summer until late fall. Other varieties begin blooming in the spring. The variety H. macrophylla ‘Endless Summer’ blooms continuously, as its name implies.
As the name indicates — think of the root word “hydra” — hydrangeas love water and will enjoy as much moisture as any plant can tolerate, as long as the soil is not soggy. However, the hydrangea also does very well in draught conditions. Because of its adaptability to climate changes, it is a top performer in zones three through nine — quite a spread! Its condition requirements range from full sun to partial shade, and it prefers moist, well-drained soil. Some hydrangeas additionally have a cold-weather toughness that other shrubs may not have.
Most varieties grow from three to five feet tall and wide, while some are even larger or smaller. That means that the hydrangea can fulfill lots of possibilities in your garden. It can stand alone in a container or in the ground as a focal point, or it can be a showoff with lots of company from other shrubs, perennials, annuals, or bulbs. The climbing hydrangea can even attach itself and grow up against a tree or wall for a beautiful backdrop.
It’s understandable that its size lends itself to many adaptations. The size of the plant is one feature and the size of the blooms is another. Flower heads on the ‘Annabelle’ smooth hydrangea are about one foot in diameter. The trouble with this variety is the weight of the flower heads — they begin to droop. To solve this, new varieties have been produced with stronger stems. The new variety ‘Invincibelle’ is a cross between the ‘Annabelle’ and an arborescens variety. Another cross with the ‘Annabelle’ produced a variety with an even bigger bloom called ‘Incrediball.’ Some smaller heads can be found on ‘Endless Summer’ and other dwarf varieties. H. paniculata is 12 to 20 feet tall and wide — not so good in a garden. This one has magnificent six- to 15-inch white blooms that cover arching limbs. They change from greenish white to pinkish red. Two worthy types are ‘Limelight’ and ‘Little Lamb.’ Wavy, white florets (the tiny parts of the whole flower head) can be up to four inches across on the giant star-shaped flowers called H. paniculata Great Star (‘Le Vasterival’). It reaches six to seven feet tall and seven to eight feet wide. This hydrangea flowers from mid-summer until the first hard frost.
Considering its adaptability and size, hydrangeas can be used in many and varied ways. Some practical uses that are innovative as well as creative involve lining a long driveway on either side with H. paniculata ‘Limelights,’ for example, or creating a popular “outdoor room” defined by a grouping of H. macrophylla in a crescent shape for privacy. Another option is to plant climbing hydrangea (H. petiolaris) on either side of an arbor to frame that structure. Finally, the H. lacecap ‘Bluebird’ has the ability to command attention even in a simple container by the back door.
A simple pruning guide is as follows:
- H. Macrophylla – Late winter/early spring
- H. Arborescens – In early March, entire plant to six to 12 inches
- H. Paniculata – In early March, large blooms; No pruning, small blooms
- H. Quercifolia – If needed, after blooming
One more advantage of the hydrangea is its longevity. If you cannot do without them in the winter, you can dry them and bring them indoors. If you cut mopheads after July 4, strip the leaves and place in a dark, dry room. For later-forming blossoms, wait until bracts feel papery on the tips. You can also put the stem in a container with about one inch of water and let the water evaporate.
To research more information about the hydrangea shrub, just Google it. Information abounds, and it’s easy to find. Everyone loves hydrangea, and why not?
********
Lynne Merrill is a National Garden Club judge and past president of the Rhode Island Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc. She lives in Middletown, R.I.