Plant of the Month:
Hydrangea H. macrophylla
When and Where to Plant:
Plant in loamy, well drained, acidic soil (pH 6.5 to 4.5) enriched liberally with organic matter. Most hydrangeas prefer quite a bit of shade; H. macrophylla and H. serrata will tolerate much more sun, but will still flourish in mottled sun for part of the day. Keep the roots moist by covering with mulch.
Care and Maintenance:
Prune after bloom to avoid cutting off buds. This consists of cutting off dead flower heads back to the first leaf node that has buds and dead, weak, or crowded stems back to the base. From April to August, cuttings of hydrangeas may be taken. The cuttings should be made from the ends of non-flowering shoots.
Plant in loamy, well drained, acidic soil (pH 6.5 to 4.5) enriched liberally with organic matter. Most hydrangeas prefer quite a bit of shade; H. macrophylla and H. serrata will tolerate much more sun, but will still flourish in mottled sun for part of the day. Keep the roots moist by covering with mulch.
Care and Maintenance:
Prune after bloom to avoid cutting off buds. This consists of cutting off dead flower heads back to the first leaf node that has buds and dead, weak, or crowded stems back to the base. From April to August, cuttings of hydrangeas may be taken. The cuttings should be made from the ends of non-flowering shoots.
Something of Interest:
H. macrophylla will produce blue flowers in acidic soil where more aluminum is present. The lower the pH, the bluer the flowers. In neutral soil, they take up less aluminum and the flowers are pink.
H. macrophylla will produce blue flowers in acidic soil where more aluminum is present. The lower the pH, the bluer the flowers. In neutral soil, they take up less aluminum and the flowers are pink.
