How To Cultivate Hydrangeas That Bloom?

Hydrangeas are easy-to-grow shrubs with a variety of colors and blooms, making them ideal for beginners. They can be used as landscape plantings, along walkways, or as a point of interest in gardens. The amount of sun they can handle depends on the location, with areas further north receiving more sun and those further south requiring just a few hours of morning sunlight.

To bloom, hydrangeas need plenty of sun, deep watering in the summer, and minimal fertilizer formulated for acid-loving plants. They may not bloom due to extreme sun, shade, or drought. To ensure proper growth, supply the right amount of water, keep soil moist, provide sun and shade, prune carefully, choose a repeat bloomer, and plant new hydrangeas in fall.

Hydrangeas thrive in moist, free-draining soil and dappled shade, but avoid south-facing positions, especially if they are in drought-prone areas. Blooms begin appearing in July and continue into the fall, and they do best in full sun and well-drained soil. To grow hydrangeas in planting beds, focus on improving native soil by combining equal parts existing soil and Miracle-Gro®.

The hydrangea blooming season depends on the type and cultivar, as well as your planting zone. Most new growth hydrangeas put on buds in early summer to bloom. Ideally, plant your shrubby hydrangea in light shade, away from frost pockets or exposed spots to reduce late frost damage to new spring growth. Hydrangeas flourish in light shade, but abundant blooms and strong stems depend on sun. Ideal planting sites combine four to six hours of morning sun with late-day sun.