Highly cherished and embraced by garden enthusiasts everywhere, Perennial Hydrangea, also known as 'big leaf macrophylla', stands out with its delightful blooms that grace the Summer season! These magnificent flowers come in many different shapes and sizes. Nevertheless, the overall care guidelines for Perennial Hydrangea remain consistent across most varieties.
Adorning gardens in hues of blue, pink, and white, Perennial Hydrangea showcases its versatility throughout the seasons. Certain varieties are sensitive to soil pH levels, which reflect in their blooms. In acidic soils, the blooms tend towards a charming blue, while in more alkaline environments, they lean towards delicate pink. Manipulating the soil pH with additions like soil sulphur for bluer blooms or lime for pinker hues offers the chance to dictate the flower colours from one season to the next.
While these Hydrangeas can be planted throughout the year, it's optimal to do so in early Spring, Summer, or Fall. This timing allows the plant to establish itself before harsh weather conditions set in, particularly crucial in regions like ours where early frost can challenge root development.
Most Hydrangeas thrive in full sun, preferably during the morning and mid-afternoon. It's wise to avoid planting them in areas exposed to scorching afternoon sun or where they receive less than six hours of sunlight daily. A slow-release, all-purpose fertilizer applied in early Spring or Summer suffices for optimal growth. Over-fertilizing may result in lush foliage at the expense of bloom production.
While Perennial Hydrangea can go many years without pruning, a trim becomes necessary if they overgrow or lose their flowering streak. Pruning techniques vary among varieties, especially concerning timing. For best outcomes and to avoid interrupting the blooming cycle, referring to the plant care tag for specific instructions and schedules is recommended.
A beautiful tabletop plant that transitions to a showcasing landscape shrub!
Pssst... When Anna's Club members shop Hydrangeas in-store from now until Wednesday May 8th, they'll receive 20% off!
CARE:
Light: Indoors - Bright, Indirect Light / Outdoors - Partial sun (Northeast facing ideal)
Water: Keep soil evenly moist. Water daily, if potted. Ensure proper drainage.
Fertilizer: Water soluble 20-20-20 weekly. Pink (high soil pH) - add lime fertilizer, Blue (low soil pH) - add aluminum sulphate.
Maintenance: Prune faded blooms after flowering. Blooms on old season wood - prune just above first bud in the Spring. Mulch in landscape
Growth: 3-6' tall / 6-10' wide
