Hydrangea Happiness: Exploring Varieties and Essential Care Tips

• Jun 18, 2024
• by Julia Stygar

If you’ve ever seen a healthy hydrangea in full bloom, then you’ve probably tried to find a way to get one for your own garden. Here at Cavacini Garden Center, we all are in love with beautiful blooming plants and how to keep them flourishing. Regarding hydrangeas, there are a few tips and essentials that we’d like to cover with you so that you can achieve the happy hydrangea bush of your dreams.

ORIGIN

First and foremost is the nativity of the hydrangea. Originating from Asia (specifically Japan, Korea, and China) and the Americas, hydrangea or hortensia is a genus with more than 70 flowering species! Some varieties can be either deciduous or evergreen, with a majority of varieties you find in cultivation being deciduous. Remember, deciduous means that the plant will drop its leaves in the winter!

VARIETIES

Although there are more than 70 species of hydrangea, we’ll be going over some standard varieties that are sure to be big winners in any space:

Bigleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla)

Known for large, round flower heads, blooming in shades of blue, pink, or purple (depending on soil acidity).

Panicle Hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata)

Elongated flower clusters that start in a white/cream color and slowly age to pink. A hardy variety that can tolerate colder climates.

Smooth Hydrangea (Hydrangea aborescens)

Flowers are in round, fluffy clusters, blooming in shades of white or pink. This variety is Native to North America and they are known for their resilience.

Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea querifolia)

With leaves resembling an oak leaf, these hydrangeas showcase cone-shaped flowers and foliage that becomes a beautiful shade come Autumn. 

CARE

Care for a hydrangea isn’t hard, but they have some specific requirements. And pruning is a MUST for optimal hydrangea beauty!

Location & Light

Hydrangeas thrive on bright, indirect light. They most often suffer in full sun or harsh afternoon sun. Choose a spot that gets dappled shade from a tree or other structures or find a spot that gets morning sun but afternoon shade.

Water & Soil

Always ensure your hydrangea gets good drainage; no plant ever likes to be water-logged! Hydrangeas are typically thirsty plants and prefer to be consistently moist, but not soggy. It’s always good to check the moisture level of your soil before watering. During hotter months, your hydrangea may require more frequent watering.

The soil’s pH level plays a big role in the appearance of your hydrangea’s blooms. The more alkaline your soil the pinker the flowers. The more acidic the soil the bluer the flowers. 

Fertilization

A balanced fertilizer (e.g., N10-P10-K10) will provide essential nutrients of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Plan to feed your hydrangea in early spring before the new growth and again mid-summer to promote more blooms into the season. Be wary of adding too much nitrogen, as this can push more energy towards the foliage rather than the flowers. 

We carry a variety of fertilizers, both balanced and un-balanced, from brands that we trust and use ourselves. Stop in and see what we have!

Pruning

Although pruning is daunting, there couldn’t be a more underrated garden task to do. Many plants flourish and appreciate the occasional trim, and the timing is especially important for hydrangeas. It also differs depending on the variety:

For Bigleaf and Oakleaf hydrangeas: You want to prune after it’s done flowering; around summer. 

For Smooth and Panicle hydrangeas: Prune in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins to grow.

When you prune, you want to remove any dead or weak stems. Trim back older wood to shape and encourage new growth and flower production. Make sure to use a sharp, clean pair of shears or cutters.

CONCLUSION

Hydrangeas are a dramatic and beautiful plant to witness and care for. The various shades of white, pink, blue, and purple are sure to find a home in any garden or even a patio pot given the right conditions. Take advantage of the season and pick up a beautiful, blooming hydrangea at Cavacini Garden Center, located in Lawrenceville! We also stock a variety of garden tools and supplies, so stop by and get everything you need to start your next project!