Are PeeGee hydrangeas easy to grow?
Panicle hydrangeas – also known as peegee hydrangeas, hardy hydrangeas, and Limelight hydrangeas, are the easiest to grow, most adaptable of all hydrangeas. Paniculata hydrangeas, commonly known as PeeGee hydrangeas, are sought after for their large, unique shaped blooms that will grow and bloom in a wide variety of climates & do best in the sun.Most hydrangeas thrive in partial shade or sun. They especially like morning sun and afternoon shade in warmer climates, as the afternoon sun can be too harsh for them. Afternoon shade is essential in hot, dry climates.While most common hydrangea plants need some shade, especially in warmer growing zones, panicle Hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata) like Fire Light®, Limelight, Pinky Winky®, Strawberry Sundae®, and Vanilla Strawberry® can thrive in full sun.Quick Facts — Companion Plants for Hydrangeas Shade/part-shade allies (great with Bigleaf, Mountain, Oakleaf, Climbing) include Astilbe, ferns, Hosta, Heuchera, Brunnera, and Tiarella. For sunnier spots (Panicle, Smooth), try Daylily, Salvia, Nepeta, Echinacea, and Rudbeckia.
How quickly do hydrangeas grow?
As rapid growers—averaging about 2 feet of growth per year—larger varieties of hydrangeas can reach up to 15 feet tall. Applicable in growing zones 3 to 9, hydrangeas are a low-maintenance plant that, with proper care, will return year after year. 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.Hydrangeas that bloom on new wood can be safely pruned in late fall once the plants have gone dormant or in early spring. Next year’s flower buds won’t be formed until late spring the same year they bloom, so there is no risk of removing the buds if you prune in fall or spring.We don’t recommend oakleaf hydrangeas because they don’t often look their best when grown in a container. They flourish when planted in the ground. But if you enjoy the look, go for it! For a temporary planting, pick a hydrangea that’s already the physical size that suits your needs.Hydrangea plants require fertile, well-draining soils that receive plenty of moisture. Amend your garden soil with rich organic materials and well-decomposed compost. Mulch your garden, focusing around the base of the plants to help regulate temperature and moisture levels.If you are growing hydrangeas in containers, bring them inside after the flowering season as soon as temperatures dip below 45°F degrees.
How long do PeeGee hydrangeas live?
PeeGee’ hydrangeas are vigorous panicle hydrangeas with a medium to fast growth rate. In optimal conditions, they may grow up to two feet per year. PeeGee’ hydrangeas are also long-lived in the garden, lasting 40 years or more. The best time to take hydrangea cuttings is in late-summer. These cuttings are semi-ripe, which means they are from the current season’s growth but are old enough to have a woody base, but they are still soft at the tip. The woody base prevents the cuttings from rotting when inserted into compost.Paniculata or PeeGee hydrangeas offer a bit more flexibility, but in general, they should be pruned in early spring before new growth appears. Other hydrangeas such as climbing hydrangeas may require very little pruning.Peegee hydrangeas bloom on new wood, so you need to prune them annually to boost flower production. Prune them in early spring just before new leaves begin to appear. Trim back old wood and dead stems, and don’t be afraid of a heavy hand. Peegee hydrangeas thrive when pruned back significantly.New wood hydrangeas can be cut in late fall to early spring; old wood types should only be cut right after blooming. Trimming old wood hydrangeas too late removes next year’s buds, so timing is key to avoid losing flowers. Pruning isn’t required, but helps shape the plant, boost growth, and prevent leggy, untidy stems.
How big does a pee gee hydrangea get?
PeeGee Hydrangea This is a fast growing shrub that can grow as tall as 25 feet and as wide as 15 feet. The large, conical flowerheads , typically 6 to 8 inches long, consist mostly of showy but sterile flowers with only a few smaller, fertile but non-showy flowers underneath. Pee Wee’ is an oakleaf hydrangea cultivar which is most noted for its compact size (typically grows to 3-4′ tall and 3′ wide). It is an upright, deciduous shrub with a rounded habit.Grandiflora’, commonly called peegee hydrangea, is a vigorous, upright, rapidly growing, somewhat coarsely textured, deciduous shrub which grows 10-25′ tall. Features conical, terminal flower panicles (typically 6-8 long) consisting almost entirely of sterile florets.Pee Wee’ is an oakleaf hydrangea cultivar which is most noted for its compact size (typically grows to 3-4′ tall and 3′ wide). It is an upright, deciduous shrub with a rounded habit.A dwarf selection of our native oakleaf hydrangea, ‘Pee Wee’ has a low compact habit. Abundant white flowers in early to mid-summer.
What makes hydrangeas grow faster?
Supply the Right Amount of Water. Along with planting them in the right place, properly watering your hydrangeas is essential to bigger and better blooms. Hydrangeas should be watered deeply several times per week to encourage deep root growth, says Amy Enfield, a horticulturist at ScottsMiracle-Gro. Planting hydrangeas in early fall is one of the best times because the soil still holds on to warmer temperatures from summer and will remain warm until the first frost.Since some garden zones and hydrangea varieties can lose their leaves late, Ballato says early frosts (and more often, early deep freezes below 26°F) can inflict this kind of damage.
What is the 1/3 rule for hydrangeas?
All dead stems should be removed from hydrangeas every year. After the plants are at least 5 years old, about 1/3 of the older (living) stems can be removed down to the ground each summer. This will revitalize the plant. The Magical garden hydrangea loves moist soil. Hydrangeas in pots need regular water, and so do those in the ground. This is especially important during warm periods. It’s better to give the plant plenty of water a few days a week rather than a little every day.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.Here are some combinations to avoid: Sunflower prefers full sun and hotter conditions than hydrangeas, which require some shade. Lavender is a sun-loving perennial that performs best in dry conditions and leaner soil, so will not thrive near hydrangeas.Hydrangeas thrive in spots with morning sun and afternoon shade, so avoid planting them in all-day sun or deep shade. Avoid overhead watering and soggy conditions—wet leaves from irrigation sprayers can cause burn, and constantly soggy soil risks root rot.It’s not hard to grow beautiful and healthy Hydrangeas as long as you plant them where they will be happiest: in rich, evenly moist soil, in partial shade from afternoon sun. One of the keys to growing stunning Hydrangeas is knowing when and how to prune particular varieties for the best flower display.