How much sun does a vanilla strawberry hydrangea need?
Light. These are the most sun, heat, and drought tolerant of all hydrangeas, and we recommend at least some sun each day for the strongest stems and the most abundant flower set. In zones 3-6, they can easily take full sun (6+ hours of bright, direct sun). The best time to plant hydrangeas is early fall or spring, depending on your region. In areas with mild winters, planting in September or October allows the roots to establish before winter dormancy. In colder climates, it’s better to plant in early to mid-spring (April or May) after the risk of frost has passed.Hydrangeas in pots will dry out much more quickly than those planted in the ground, so during the hotter, drier months, check your plants regularly. Butler says: “In the summer, the pots will need watering every day and must be kept moist the rest of the year.However, most varieties of hydrangeas take two to four years to mature to full size.Should I fertilize my hydrangeas in summer? Fertilizing in early summer is okay, but avoid feeding past midsummer. Late fertilization promotes new growth that may not harden off before winter.
What not to plant next to a hydrangea?
Large Trees and Shrubs Large trees and even large shrubs can cause harm to hydrangeas and other plants, both by blocking incoming light and by outcompeting them and consuming all the available resources, Lenhart says. You should especially watch out for willow trees, McConnell says. Trim back dead growth and shape the plant during the late fall or winter. Flowers grow on new wood, so prune the plant well before new growth emerges to ensure the plant will bloom. Wrap or cover Hydrangeas in areas that have cold winter weather or increased snowfall.If hydrangeas receive their basic needs of light, soil, and water, there’s not a lot that bugs them. Bacterial spot and fungal diseases such as powdery mildew can form on plants that are stressed by too little or too much water, too crowded, or in infertile or compacted soil.Hydrangeas are long-lived shrubs, sometimes living for up to 50 years if properly cared for. They enjoy morning sun but afternoon shade, and they need frequent watering during the growing season.As Paul explains, the ideal time to trim a hydrangea largely depends on its type, although autumn is never the right time to prune these ostentatious blooms. This is because most hydrangeas already have new flower buds on their stems. By cutting them back now, you would remove the buds and spoil next season’s blooms.
What month is best to plant hydrangeas?
This timing will vary by region. For instance, in areas with winter freezing and snow, hydrangeas should be planted in early spring or early fall (as soon as summer heat breaks). In warmer regions with mild winters, the window for planting hydrangeas is longer, from fall all the way through to early spring. But NEVER prune these hydrangeas to the ground, otherwise you’ll cut off all of next year’s blooms. If your hydrangeas bloom on “new wood” you can deadhead them if you’d like…but then in late fall or early spring you can more aggressively prune them back.Never prune old wood ‘Pruning in fall will remove buds, resulting in no flowers the following year,’ warns garden writer Janet Loughrey. Lorraine Ballato concurs, stating, ‘That applies to all bigleaf hydrangeas. If you don’t know which type you have, it’s safer to do nothing.Rule of thumb: If your hydrangea blooms in summer on old wood → only deadhead in fall. If it blooms on new wood (Annabelle, Panicle) → you can leave major pruning for late winter/early spring. Keep your garden healthy and ready for spring with the right care this season.To help prepare growing hydrangeas for winter, add a fine bark mulch to the base of the hydrangea plant. Remove the top inch of compost and replace with the mulch to add a layer of protection for the winter season.
Should I cut back vanilla strawberry hydrangea?
For Vanilla Strawberry Hydrangea, prune in late winter or early spring by cutting back about one-third of the oldest stems to the ground, and trim the remaining stems to maintain shape and size. Deadheading can help encourage more blooms, but it’s not necessary for this variety. Late winter early spring is when we prune our panicle type hydrangeas: lime light, quick fire, strawberry vanilla are examples. These are the hydrangeas with the cone shaped flowers. Anything thinner than your pinky finger.
Do hydrangeas grow better in pots or in the ground?
Hydrangeas will have an easier time thriving when planted in the ground because it is easier to give them proper water and soil needs, plus their roots have more room to grow. Hydrangeas are fast-growing shrubs that need full morning sun and protection from high afternoon temperatures. To grow hydrangeas in planting beds, focus on improving the native soil. One simple way to do that is to combine equal parts existing soil and Miracle-Gro® Garden Soil for Trees and Shrubs. In warmer regions (zones 7 and warmer), where winter tends to be mild, you can also grow hydrangeas in containers.Hydrangeas can happily grow in pots—especially when you choose the right variety and container. With proper care, potted hydrangeas can be just as lush and beautiful as those planted in the ground. Container gardening also gives you more control over soil conditions, sunlight, and drainage.One of the easiest ways to improve soil health and strengthen hydrangea growth is by using eggshells. Eggshells are an excellent natural fertiliser, Chris explains. They add calcium to the soil, which helps plants absorb nutrients more efficiently, leading to stronger stems and larger flowers.Hydrangeas need nutrients to bloom, but just any fertilizer won’t do. Make sure you’re using a using a bloom boosting, slow-release, granular fertilizer and follow the directions on the packaging for how much to apply. Apply fertilizer in early spring and again in July to help promote the rebloom.Want to turn your hydrangeas blue? It will take some time, but used dry coffee grounds can alter the ph level of the soil. Coffee grounds increase the soil’s acidity. Acidic soil (low pH) favors blue flowers, while alkaline soil (high pH) favors pink flowers.