Hydrangeas are among the most beloved plants in the garden. You may recognize them from your grandmother's gardens, and now what's old is new again. There are many new varieties of these floral "snowballs," and they're much easier to grow than grandma's traditional bush.
With renewed interest, however, comes many questions. Among the two most frequently asked are: "Why isn't my hydrangea blooming?" and "When and how do you prune them?"
Joel Miller, manager of Goldner-Walsh Nursery in Pontiac, Mich., explains that mophead (rounded) varieties are notorious for not blooming year after year. A lack of blooms could be due to pruning at the wrong time or a general lack of phosphorous in the soil. According to Joel, phosphorous can be used throughout the growing season to encourage blooms.
So what about pruning? Some, like the smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens), bloom on new wood so if you prune in late winter or early spring, you won't accidentally cut off this year's flowers. Others, like some mopheads and many big-leaf hydrangeas (H. macrophylla) bloom on old wood, so any late-season (or fall or winter) pruning you do erases next year's flowers. To stay on the safe side, and if you don't know which type you have, prune off only the spent blooms, according to the experts at Goldner-Walsh Nursery, and that is especially true on older varieties like grandma's 'Annabelle'.
Other notable hydrangeas:
'Little Lamb' has a white flower like 'Annabelle', but also has a sturdier stalk that doesn't require staking. 'Preziosa' has a mophead bloom that begins pure white and gradually changes to a burgundy red by the end of the season. It also blooms on old wood. Fall color is excellent.
If you want a beautiful performer that is easy to take care of, consider some of the cultivars of the big-leaf hydrangea. 'Dooley' blooms on new wood; others include 'Endless Summer' and 'Big Daddy'.
Then there is 'Swan', which is known for its hand-sized flowers on new wood.
But one of the most popular hydrangeas nowadays was developed in the Netherlands. Aptly named 'Limelight', it features cool, green flowers and is nearly maintenance-free.
The oak-leafed hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) has an oak-shaped leaf and is known for its burgundy red fall color. It's a great landscape plant and does well in full sun to deep shade. It blooms in mid June and lasts two full months, offering interest all season.
Hydrangeas make an excellent cutting flower for any arrangement and are very easy to dry. For drying, pick the blooms at the peak of flowering. Hang them upside down from their stems, making sure they're protruding six to eight inches, and don't touch the flowers until they are dry.
With so much beauty, diversity and durability, it's no wonder hydrangeas are enjoying a renaissance in today's garden.
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