Features Growing. Hydrangeas. Hydrangeas For Ohio Gardens Blooms Throughout the Year. More than just mopheads

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1 OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION Hydrangeas Hydrangeas For Ohio Gardens Blooms Throughout the Year Eric Barrett The name comes from the Greek "hydor" meaning "water" referring to the plant's preference for moisture and "aggeion" meaning "vessel" referring to the shape of the seed capsule. OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION More than just mopheads Features Growing More than one type of hydrangea! Old wood bloomers have given them a bad name in garden circles More cultivars now than ever! 1

2 Many Features! Bark Flower life Faded flowers Fall leaf color Moisture Consistent moisture! Moisture is Based on soil type Depends on amount of shade Plants should be watered thoroughly during prolonged dry spells. Shallow rooted evergreen trees will out compete for moisture! A Woodland Plant Require moist, well drained soil in partial shade. Full sun can bleach and scorch the flowers. Overexposure to sun and/or too little water will cause the leaves to droop. Saying that Pay attention to the tag! I tend to be skeptical about the use of zone 5 on macrophylla, This means it will survive there, but does not always mean it will thrive there Powdery Mildew? Is this a signal to you? 2

3 Soil Pronounced Ser-kos-pora Loam is required Perfect mix of all three soil components Sand, Silt, Clay Balanced drainage Balanced water holding capacity Diameter of fine sand is 1,000x larger than largest clay particle! Survival Planting Know the zone (but don t always trust it!) Visit other gardens to see what they are able grow successfully Start with everything but macrophylla, then add them slowly Old wood bloomers! New wood bloomers? asdf Even after soil, etc the site will make you or break you! Air& Sunlight Morning Sun, dappled afternoon shade Loosen Roots Crown at soil line, not 3

4 OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION PG Growing Chart Use the chart An outline for you to use for your garden Based on personal experience and the literature Other cultivars will grow, these are just suggestions to get started Bloom Time Cluster plantings to give the look of constant blooms: arborescens (spring) quercifolia (Spring) arborescens (spring) macrophylla (all summer) paniculata (late summer) macrophylla (all summer) anomala (early summer) paniculata (late summer) 4

5 No Blooms! Failure? There is no simple answer Variety/Cultivar Mostly on macrophylla On quercifolia after 13 14, winters Location Pruning Winter protection Fertilization Too much N! Water/Shade OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION Arborescens Success For most success in Ohio Shade to part shade Consistent moisture When it comes to macrophylla Soil conditions must be 1 st Plan to watering (min 1 per week) Some form of winter wind protection to preserve blooms on old wood (although many bloom on new wood) Spring protection from late frosts Heavy feeders Arborescens I consider this the easiest to grow! Native to North America Easy to propagate Cut to ground in late fall/early spring Unless you want scraggly blooms Selective pruning in early spring Less stems = Larger blooms Early bloomer 5

6 Grandiflora Annabelle Somewhat larger petals Indrediball 6

7 Invicibelle Mine 5 across Pink Somewhat picky No hot sun, proper soil, more moisture, but good drainage Invincibelle Spirit I 7

8 OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION September quercifolia Oakleaf Aging Snowflake bloom in perfect site (dappled shade) Snowflake 8

9 Alice Gatsby Star; Gatsby Moon Alice Faded flowers Snow Queen 9

10 Fall Foliage Nikko Blue The Mother of Modern Big Leaf OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION Endless Summer macrophylla Big Leaf 10

11 Endless Summer May 12, 2015 Blushing Bride March 30,

12 Pia Consistent moisture!! Zone 5 11 Mostly ends up dark pink purple combo Double Delights Peace (similar to Double Delights) Twist n Shout Buds live to 20? 12

13 Winter Care? Serrata Blue Billow Your Options May prune back some before protecting Cover with mulch (like a rose) Cover with a container, tub, etc Lack of spring protection may be your problem (the way to protect tender foliage and buds) These are all SECONDARY to proper soil conditions! Blue or Pink? Soil ph and corresponding available aluminum. At lower ph levels (acid soils), aluminum is more readily available to the plant and flowers become blue. At higher ph ranges (more alkaline soils), aluminum is less available and flowers are pink. Changing soil ph is a gradual process and requires a soil test for accuracy. Blue: 1/2 cup of wettable sulfur per 10 square feet and water in Pink: One cup of dolomitic lime per 10 square feet and water in Raising ph takes longer than lowering. It may be next year before a noticeable change to pink flowers. Macrophylla Success All purpose, soluble fertilizer (i.e. Miracle Grow) Fertilize: At bud emergence Memorial Day 4 th of July Labor Day Cover in April if a chance for frost!! 13

14 OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION Climbing Hydrangeas anomala Climbing Hydrangea anomala Stains, but doesn t get into mortar Slower grower at first Faster after 3 years North side? Protected? Mine back at the home farm was killed by the April wind/freeze in 2007, otherwise they are generally easy to grow and keep! This has NOT happened since then! Hydrangea anomala petiolaris Petiolaris Firefly 14

15 spp. glabra difficult to find! tardiva OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION Bombshell paniculata Panicle Compact 2 3 lime 15

16 Little Lime Some like this because flower stems weaken in winter and fall off! Vanilla Strawberry tm (red stems!) October! Purple by Thanksgiving 16

17 Great Star Great Star Little Lamb 17

18 Limelight Pink Diamond 18

19 OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION Evaluations! Today s Options Please read 1 s - Bad 5 s - Good Oakleaf Mix Gatsby s Star 6 10, Double, pointed petals Gatsby s Moon 6 10, Double Rounded petals OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION Paniculata Mix (More blooms, low and wide) Bobo up to 3, 8+ white flowers fade to pink Bombshell 3, slightly golden to white blooms, fade to pink Smooth (arborescens) Invincibelle Spirit II larger pink blooms! Use the chart! Zone, water, light 19

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