Hey there, plant lovers!
Have you ever seen a flower so beautiful that you wanted to grow it at home?
Well! I don’t know about you all but I had this feeling when I first saw Hydrangeas!
This is the true definition of a beautiful flower when you ask me!
But I had no idea how to grow them in my small garden where all the other plants were also planted.
So I went on a research mission and found 3 unique hacks that helped me plant these beautiful flowers in my garden. And if you want to do the same then you are at the right place because in this article I am going to share everything I know about planting Hydrangeas.
What are we waiting for? Let’s get started!
What Are Hydrangeas?
It is very important to know about the things you are eating, right?
The same goes for planting. To take better care of plants, it is important to know what exactly we are going to plant.
If I talk about Hydrangeas, they are like the chameleons of the flower world.
They come in a variety of colours, from deep blues to vibrant pinks, and can even change colour depending on your soil!
These showy blooms can transform any garden into a colourful paradise.
But I technically say, they are woody shrubs that bloom from late spring to late summer and they love little shade and well-draining soil.
There are several types of hydrangeas, but the most common ones you’ll find are:
1. Bigleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla)
2. Panicle hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata)
3. Smooth hydrangeas (Hydrangea arborescens)
4. Oakleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia)
Now that we know the basics of what Hydrangeas are and how do they look let’s move on to the next important part.
How should you prepare your Hydrangeas for Planting?
And here comes the first hack!
Hack 1: The Perfect Planting Mix
Instead of pushing yourself to improve your soil, create a perfect planting mix right in the hole. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Make a hole that is twice the size of your hydrangea’s root ball.
2. Mix the removed soil with equal parts compost and peat moss.
3. Add a handful of bone meal for good measure.
This hack will make sure that your hydrangea gets a great start with nutrient-rich, well-draining soil right where it needs it most.
What is it’s Correct Planting Process?
Now that you have your healthy soil ready, it’s time to plant! Here’s the correct way to do it:
1. Gently remove the hydrangea from its container.
2. If the roots are tightly stuck, loosen them with your fingers.
3. Place the plant in the hole, making sure it’s at the same depth it was in the pot.
4. Fill the hole with your prepared soil mix, firming it gently around the roots.
5. Water your Hydrangeas to its depths to help it settle into the soil.
Pro tip: Plant your hydrangeas about 3-10 feet apart, depending on the variety. They need room to grow and show off those beautiful blooms!
How to take care of your Hydrangea in its Initial Days?
The first few weeks after planting are important for your hydrangea’s life. Here are some tips to help your new plant settle down:
1. Water deeply and regularly, especially during dry spells.
2. Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base of the plant, but keep it away from the stem to prevent rot.
3. Hold off on fertilising for the first month to avoid stressing the plant.
Are there any other hacks for its quick maintenance?
I know you don’t want to take any risks while growing your beautiful flower!
And this is where the second hack comes in to help you out:
Hack 2: The Banana Peel Boost
Here’s how to use them to give your beautiful flowers a natural nutrient boost:
1. Cut up a few banana peels.
2. Bury them an inch or two deep in the soil around your hydrangea.
3. The peels will decompose, releasing potassium and other nutrients that hydrangeas love.
This hack is a great way to feed your plants without spending any money on fancy fertilizers.
Here’s a fun fact: you can change the colour of some hydrangea varieties (particularly the bigleaf hydrangeas) by changing the soil pH. Here’s how to do it:
– For blue flowers: Add aluminium sulfate to lower the soil pH (make it more acidic).
– For pink flowers: Add garden lime to raise the soil pH (make it more alkaline).
But, it’s not magic so this won’t work overnight – it can take several months to see a change. Also, white hydrangeas will stay white regardless of soil pH.
Are there any important tips for the seasonal care of Hydrangeas?
Hydrangeas need different care throughout the year:
– Spring: Remove any dead wood and apply a slow-release fertilizer.
– Summer: Water deeply during dry spells and deadhead spent blooms.
– Fall: Stop fertilizing and reduce watering as the plant prepares for dormancy.
– Winter: In cold climates, protect your hydrangeas with a layer of mulch around the base.
What are some of the Common Issues of this flower?
When you plant something, you try to take care of it as much as you can but sometimes some common problems are unavoidable when you are growing Hydrangeas. I am going to give you some quick hacks on how can you identify that problem and fix it:
1. Wilting leaves: Usually a sign of underwatering. Give your plant a good, deep drink.
2. Yellowing leaves: This could be overwatering or a nutrient deficiency. Check your soil drainage and consider a balanced fertilizer.
3. No blooms: This could be due to improper pruning, lack of sunlight, or too much nitrogen. Make sure you’re pruning at the right time for your hydrangea variety.
How to Propagate them?
Want more hydrangeas without breaking the bank? You can easily propagate them! Here’s a simple method:
1. In spring, cut a 6-inch piece of stem with a leaf node.
2. Remove the lower leaves, leaving only the top two.
3. Put the cut end in any rooting hormone for 3-4 seconds.
4. Plant in a pot with moist potting soil.
5. Cover with a clear plastic bag to create a mini greenhouse.
6. In a few weeks, you should see roots forming!
What if you don’t have a Garden?
No problem! When there’s a will, there’s a way!
Hydrangeas can settle in containers too. I am going to give you some quick tips on how can you do it:
1. Choose a large pot with drainage holes.
2. Use a high-quality potting mix.
3. Water more frequently than in-ground plants, as containers dry out faster.
4. Fertilize regularly during the growing season.
5. In winter, protect the roots by moving the container to a sheltered area or wrapping it in burlap.
When can you harvest them?
Hydrangeas look pretty in the garden but they make fantastic cut flowers too!
They are beautiful and you can make tiaras out of them.
Here’s how can take out the best of your hydrangeas:
1. Cut flowers in the morning when they’re full of water.
2. Remove leaves below the water line.
3. Place stems in warm water immediately.
4. To make them last longer, change the water every few days and recut the stems.
Bonus tip: Hydrangeas can also be dried for long-lasting arrangements. Simply hang upside down in a dark, dry place for a few weeks.
Is there any advanced growing technique to grow Hydrangeas organically?
Since I shared almost all of my secrets with you all so why leave the last one out of it?
Let me share a very secret hack that I tried on my Hydrangeas and it gave me outstanding results.
And this is where the third and final hack comes in:
Hack 3: The Coffee Grounds Secret
Coffee grounds are not just for your morning coffee – they’re a secret weapon for hydrangea growers!
Here’s how you can use them:
1. Save your used coffee grounds.
2. Sprinkle them around the base of your hydrangeas.
3. Lightly work them into the top layer of soil.
Coffee grounds add organic matter to the soil, improve drainage, and can help lower soil pH for those blue blooms. Plus, they remove slugs and snails naturally!
If you are still having confusions on how to plant the Hydrangeas then I think you will need a visual step-by-step guide. I am adding the link to a YouTube channel called Garden Design so that you can refer to it- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmopHQ5ZyqU
And if you feel like you love what I write then you can read my other articles as well!
Here’s the link- https://allaboutagriculture.co.in/10-secrets-to-storing-button-mushrooms/
Summary
- Hydrangeas are beautiful, colourful flowers that can change colours based on soil conditions. They come in different types and prefer partial shade and well-draining soil.
- To plant hydrangeas:
- Create a rich soil mix with compost and peat moss
- Make a hole that should be twice the size of the plant’s roots
- Now put the plant in the same position as it was in its pot (maintain the same depth)
- Water well and add mulch around the base
- Care tips include:
- Water regularly, especially during dry periods
- Use natural fertilizers like banana peels for nutrients
- Adjust soil pH to change flower colour (except for white hydrangeas)
- Prune at the right time based on the hydrangea type
- You can grow hydrangeas in containers if you don’t have a garden, and they make great cut flowers for arrangements.
FAQs Section
Q: How often should I water my hydrangeas?
A: It depends on your climate, but generally, hydrangeas need about 1 inch of water per week. Water the Hydrangeas so that the water goes deep inside its roots and do not water it daily to encourage deep root growth.
Q: Can I grow hydrangeas in full sun?
A: While hydrangeas prefer partial shade, some varieties can tolerate full sun with enough water. Morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal in most cases.
Q: When is the best time to trim hydrangeas?
A: It depends on the type of hydrangea. For most varieties, prune right after flowering. However, some types bloom on old wood, so it’s best to research your specific variety.
Q: Why aren’t my hydrangeas blooming?
A: This could be due to several factors, including improper pruning, not enough sunlight, or frost damage to buds. Make sure you’re pruning at the right time and providing adequate care.
Q: Can I use coffee grounds on all types of hydrangeas?
A: Yes, coffee grounds can benefit all types of hydrangeas. However, they’ll have a more noticeable effect on the colour of bigleaf hydrangeas.
Happy gardening, and may your hydrangeas be the talk of the neighbourhood!