Some flowers fade in August. Others are just waking up.

The darling of deciduous shrubs, hydrangeas are a garden staple that come in all sorts of shapes and sizes—varying in appearance but consistently enchanting.

One name, many forms

Hydrangeas boast an incredible range of bloom colors, from soft pastels to vibrant hues, with each color harboring its own unique charm.

Mopheads

The iconic mophead is perhaps the most familiar type of hydrangea, characterized by its voluminous, globe-like clusters of tiny blooms.

Lacecaps

Lacecaps are another popular hydrangea, composed of tiny, delicate flower buds nestled amidst a ring of larger, show-stopping blossoms. They have an airy, elegant presence in the garden.

Oakleaf

Native to the southeastern US, oakleaf hydrangeas are so named for their lobed foliage, resembling oak leaves. The white flowers cluster in cones, fading to pink as the season wanes. In fall, the leaves turn brilliant shades of scarlet and plum—oakleaf hydrangeas are the only type to do this.

Panicle

The most cold-hardy of the bunch, panicle hydrangeas have a similar habit to oakleaf hydrangeas—with cone-shaped clusters of white flowers that fade to pink. They are among the most sun-tolerant types of hydrangeas.

A shade plant…kind of

When you research ideal plants for shade, hydrangeas will, almost always, be on the list.

After growing several types of hydrangeas in a variety of shade conditions, I’d firmly put them in the “party sun” category.

All hydrangeas need at least two hours of sunlight a day to get by, but in my experience—a minimum of four hours to bloom. When these shrubs get less than that, they’ll sport healthy foliage but little to no blooms.

Beyond sunlight

It’s worth noting that in any sunlight condition, hydrangeas need lots of water. The word ‘hydration’ is practically in its name, after all.

They also enjoy being fertilized twice a year—early spring and late fall. I use Espoma’s Holly-tone for any hydrangeas planted in the landscape (not containers).

New wood, old wood

Hydrangeas bloom on new wood and/or old wood. Understanding the distinction is critical.

Old wood refers to the previous year's growth—the branches that persevere through winter, and sport the buds of new leaves come spring.

Blooming on old wood has two key implications:

1. An early-spring freeze might take out your hydrangea flowers. When this happens, the foliage will grow as usual, but you won’t get any flowers come summer.

2. Avoid heavy pruning in the spring. The branches you cut down have this year’s growth stored within.

New wood indicates this year’s growth—the branches that spring up from the ground when the weather breaks. Hydrangeas that bloom on new wood are ideal for colder climates.

Many new varieties of hydrangea bloom on both old and new wood, guaranteeing flowers for the upcoming year.

A game of tones

One of the more magical qualities of hydrangeas is their ability to change colors.

The pH level of the soil plays a significant role in determining the color of the blooms. Acidic soil tends to produce blue and purple hues, while alkaline soil leans towards pink and red shades.

If you purchase a blue hydrangea and plant it in alkaline soil, you will have a beautiful multi-color display the next season, as the plant adjusts to your soil.

If you prefer to keep your hydrangeas a certain color, you can amend the soil each season.

For blues, you can add coffee grounds or pine needs to the soil—though a soil amendment product is always most effective (I use Espoma’s soil acidifier).

For pinks, raise the pH of the soil by adding lime or wood ashes (Espoma’s lime amendment is a great choice).

Hydrangeas in containers

For those with limited garden space or seeking to adorn patios and balconies, growing hydrangeas in containers is always an option.

Choose a large, sturdy container (at least 16-24 inches in diameter) with drainage holes. Fill it with a mix of quality potting soil and plant your hydrangea!

Be diligent in watering and fertilizing (hydrangeas like a balanced liquid fertilizer) will keep your potted hydrangea vibrant and flourishing throughout the growing season.

🌸 Flower I’m admiring

Yarrow—but not the usual sort.

Last year I planted three yarrow plants called ‘Angel’s Breath,’ sporting small double-bloom white flowers similar to Baby’s Breath. I didn’t know much about it, but thought it looked pretty.

Fast forward to present day, and the plants have exploded. They are a couple of feet tall and overflowing with blooms.

The tiny white baubles of white en masse are such a whimsical addition to the garden—I’m getting more!

🍰 Snack I’m craving

My mid-summer palette is almost entirely dedicated to lemon-flavored anything.

After seeing this lemon posset accompanying a few garden luncheons across IG, I can’t stop thinking about it. Our kitchen is currently under renovation, but the moment I have it back I’m trying it!

Do you grow hydrangeas? Which types have you had the most success with? My ‘Bloomstruck’ hydrangeas from Endless Summer have been the most prolific so far this summer!

xx,

Courtney

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