How To Maintain Large-Leafed Hydrangeas?

The Bigleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) is a powerful and breathtaking flowering shrub in the garden, known for its vibrant blooms in pinks, blues, and whites. To ensure the best growth and health of this plant, it is essential to match its needs with the actual conditions in your yard. The ideal conditions for the most flowers and healthiest foliage include moist, humusy, well-drained soil.

To care for bigleaf hydrangeas, it is important to plant them in a spot with some sun, water them often, mulch them, and prune or cut them as needed. Hydrangea macrophylla prefers moist conditions and regular water, about 1 to 2 inches per week. Avoid planting it on hot, dry, exposed sites and ensure that the plant receives a steady supply of moisture.

A good 2-3″ layer of organic mulch and an inch or two of water each week are recommended for maintaining the plant’s health. Pruning is crucial for this plant, as they bloom on old wood, so pruning should be done in summer before next year’s flowers start to set.

When potted in a 5.0″ pot, bigleaf hydrangeas need 0.8 cups of water every 9 days when not getting direct sunlight and should be placed in full sun to partial shade. They do best in full sun to partial shade, depending on your location.

What is the best fertilizer for bigleaf hydrangeas?

Hydrogenated hydrangeas thrive when fed a balanced or all-purpose fertilizer, such as 10-10-10 NPK or 12-4-8 NPK. Rose-formulated fertilizers are also suitable. Hydrangeas, known for their large flower heads and attractive colors, require extra care when choosing the right fertilizer and knowing when to apply it. Fertilizer and soil amendments can change the color of bigleaf or mountain hydrangea types.

Hydrogenation only needs a few times a year, so use this guide to choose the best fertilizer for your hydrangeas. It’s essential to know the variety of hydrangea you have, as some commercial fertilizers can change the color of hydrangea flowers.

What does an overwatered hydrangea look like?

Overwatered hydrangeas can be identified by yellow or brown leaves, wilted or drooping leaves, wilted or fewer flowers, mold around the plant, and root rot. These signs indicate that the plant is overwatered and is not producing enough water. If the leaves appear heavy and mushy, it may be overwatered. If the plant is consistently wet, mold around it may also indicate overwatering. If the signs are hard to see, it is likely that root rot is present. It is possible to remove wilted hydrangea blooms, which triggers the plant to stop producing seeds and encourages root and foliage development. Overwatering can be repaired by following these steps:

1. Remove the wilted blooms.
2. Re-pot the plant.
3. Re-pot the plant.
4. Re-water the plant as needed.
5. Re-pot the plant as needed.\n7

What do overwatered hydrangea leaves look like?

Overwatered hydrangeas can be identified by yellow or brown leaves, wilted or drooping leaves, wilted or fewer flowers, mold around the plant, and root rot. These signs indicate that the plant is overwatered and is not producing enough water. If the leaves appear heavy and mushy, it may be overwatered. If the plant is consistently wet, mold around it may also indicate overwatering. If the signs are hard to see, it is likely that root rot is present. It is possible to remove wilted hydrangea blooms, which triggers the plant to stop producing seeds and encourages root and foliage development. Overwatering can be repaired by following these steps:

1. Remove the wilted blooms.
2. Re-pot the plant.
3. Re-pot the plant.
4. Re-water the plant as needed.
5. Re-pot the plant as needed.\n7

What does overwatered hydrangea look like?

Overwatered hydrangeas can be identified by yellow or brown leaves, wilted or drooping leaves, wilted or fewer flowers, mold around the plant, and root rot. These signs indicate that the plant is overwatered and is not producing enough water. If the leaves appear heavy and mushy, it may be overwatered. If the plant is consistently wet, mold around it may also indicate overwatering. If the signs are hard to see, it is likely that root rot is present. It is possible to remove wilted hydrangea blooms, which triggers the plant to stop producing seeds and encourages root and foliage development. Overwatering can be repaired by following these steps:

1. Remove the wilted blooms.
2. Re-pot the plant.
3. Re-pot the plant.
4. Re-water the plant as needed.
5. Re-pot the plant as needed.\n7

What is the best fertilizer for big leaf hydrangeas?

Bigleaf hydrangeas, known for their large, round flowers in blue, purple, or pink, are often the most difficult plants to grow due to their cold tolerance to USDA zone 5 and heat tolerance through USDA zone 9. They are native to mild coastal regions of Japan and are associated with seaside areas in North America. However, the flower buds, which are present on the plant all winter long, can be damaged by extreme winter cold and spring frosts. This can lead to confusion and disappointment for the plant.

Siting the hydrangea in the right location can greatly impact its success and satisfaction. In cold climates, plant them on the east side of your home or surrounded by walls or other structures. In hot climates, plant the hydrangea completely shaded during the hottest part of the day to keep the plant happy and stress-free. Applying granular rose fertilizer in early spring can mitigate the development of yellow or pale leaves in areas with extreme pH. By following these guidelines, you can ensure the successful growth and care of your bigleaf hydrangea.

Where is the best place to plant big leaf hydrangeas?

To ensure the growth of bigleaf hydrangeas, avoid excessive shade and nitrogen. These plants thrive in shade in most areas of the US, but excessive shade can result in beautiful leaves and no flowers. In areas like the East, Midwest, and Northwest, high shade from deciduous trees or evergreens is ideal. However, hydrangeas near foggy coasts and northern areas require no shade. Pruning at the wrong time can also cause hydrangeas to not flower. High-nitrogen fertilizer can result in beautiful leaves but few flowers, so it’s important to practice moderation. Additionally, excessive water and dryness can also lead to a lack of flowers.

Why are the leaves on my big leaf hydrangea turning brown?

Leaf scorch on hydrangea is a common physiological issue causing yellowing leaves, irregular dry brown blotches, browning of leaf tips and margins, and severe damage. It results when leaves lose water faster than they can supply from the roots, leading to wilting. Common causes include inadequate watering, exposure to strong light, high temperatures, or dry conditions. Damaged roots or stems can also cause scorch.

It is most common on leaves farthest from the roots and those most exposed to harsh conditions. Severe damage may indicate an underlying health or planting location issue. Management options include Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and non-chemical management.

Should I remove damaged hydrangea leaves?

In the process of pruning, it is essential to remove only those parts that are completely damaged. The cut should be made above undamaged foliage or buds. Upon inspection, it may be observed that damaged outer leaves are present, yet new buds are visible at lower levels on the plant.

Why are the leaves on my big leaf hydrangea turning yellow?

Chlorosis, a yellowing of hydrangea leaves, is a result of a lack of chlorophyll production due to an iron deficiency. Iron is a crucial component in chlorophyll production, which is essential for photosynthesis. Chlorosis can be caused by other nutrient deficiencies, but it is most commonly caused by an iron deficiency. Recognizing the condition and addressing it is crucial for plant survival. Iron deficiency is especially common in hydrangeas and other bog plants that thrive in acidic soils. Treatment and prevention are essential to prevent chlorosis from occurring.

When to cut back big leaf hydrangea?

Bigleaf hydrangeas, also known as mopheads or lacecaps, are renowned for their shiny, dark green foliage and colorful blooms. They bloom on old wood and can be challenging to grow in New Hampshire due to cold winter temperatures and drying winds. Flower buds are produced at the tips of stems on old wood from the previous year, and if they are killed or damaged, the hydrangea’s flowering potential is reduced. To ensure blooming, prune the plant until new growth appears in the spring. Dead stems should be cut flush to the base.

If you struggle to get your bigleaf hydrangea to bloom year after year, consider replacing it with a “remontant” (reblooming) type. Some cultivars have been released in recent years that flower readily on new shoots. To protect the buds, surround the hydrangeas with a mesh cylinder and fill it with fallen leaves. This insulation should be removed only once the buds begin to expand in the spring.

Mountain hydrangeas, closely related to bigleaf hydrangeas, have a more delicate branching structure and slightly less showy flowers. Remove stems until new growth begins in the spring, and consider using reblooming types that provide more reliable blooms. Although slightly more winter hardy than bigleaf hydrangeas, they also benefit from winter protection measures.

How do you tell if hydrangea is over or under watered?

Hydrangeas can be overwatered, causing yellow or brown leaves, wilted or drooping leaves, wilted or fewer flowers, mold around the plant, and root rot. These signs indicate that the plant is overwatered and needs more water. If you see these signs, it’s likely that your hydrangea is overwatered.

To fix overwatered hydrangeas, you can remove wilted blooms, which triggers the plant to stop producing seeds and encourages root and foliage development. However, it’s important to note that hydrangeas can recover from overwatering, and there are several steps you can take to help them on their path to recovery.

In summary, overwatering hydrangeas can lead to yellow or brown leaves, wilted or drooping leaves, fewer flowers, mold around the plant, and root rot. It’s crucial to address these issues and ensure your hydrangea’s health and growth.