Nikko Blue Hydrangeas are a popular choice for gardens due to their medium green foliage and large, serrated leaves. They grow up to 1.5 meters tall and spread 3-5 feet wide, with mature blooms produced on the previous year’s growth. These deciduous shrubs prefer partial sun conditions and well-drained, loamy soil with pH 5.5-6.5.
To make your Nikko Blue Hydrangea blue, add Aluminum Sulfate to the soil and ensure it is blue enough. The plant grows at a rate of 1-2 feet per year, with some plants growing more slowly or faster depending on the growing conditions. Soil pH management is crucial for this fast-growing plant, as acidic soils enhance blue flower coloration, while alkaline soils shift them towards pink.
The Nikko Blue Hydrangea is a vigorous deciduous shrub with a round habit, typically growing 4-6 feet tall and wide. It is best grown in rich, medium moisture, well-drained soils, and can grow up to 100-150 cm in height. Planting them in a planter will keep them smaller, and pruning excess growth is possible.
Nikko Blue Hydrangeas are bred in Japan and feature clusters of pink or blue florets in large, rounded, 4-5″ panicles. This long-flowering blue mophead hydrangea is a good, long-flowering choice for gardens. With a rounded upright habit, the Nikko Blue Hydrangea provides effortless beauty and can be easily pruned to maintain its size.
📹 Different Flower Stages of the Blue Hydrangea
In this video, I will share with you the different Flower stages of a blue hydrangea plant. #roadsidehomestead #hydrangea …
How tall does hydrangea Nikko blue get?
Hydrangea macrophylla is a deciduous shrub that grows 4-6 ft. tall and wide, typically in rich, medium moisture, well-drained soils. It is suitable for foundation plantings, container plantings, and can be used as a hedge or cut flower. The plant is native to Japan and has naturalized in China, New Zealand, and the Americas. It can turn blue in acidic soils or pink in alkaline soils, and can be treated with aluminum sulfate or lime to change color.
To promote new blooms, remove spent flowers and prune stems after flowering. Hydrangea is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. It is important to wear gloves and protective equipment when handling the plant, as height, bloom time, and color may differ in different climates. The description of Hydrangea plants is based on numerous external resources and should be considered when planting and growing them.
Is nikko blue a big leaf hydrangea?
The cultivar “Nikko Blue” is a popular and vigorous hydrangea species that produces large, blue flower heads which may exhibit a pink hue when grown in soil with a higher pH. This well-regarded and robust plant is renowned for its large, rounded, and aesthetically pleasing blue flowers that can exhibit a pinkish hue as the soil pH increases.
What month is best to plant hydrangeas?
Planting hydrangeas in the Southeast is best done in the fall due to less harsh conditions and the absence of leaves. However, planting in early spring after the last frost can be challenging due to the tough growing conditions of the season. Hydrangeas need morning sun and afternoon shade for optimal blooming, but they will not tolerate hot afternoon sun. To ensure the best planting location, watch your landscape for a few days to ensure the area receives shade during the hottest part of the day.
It is essential to keep hydrangeas well-watered throughout the season, as they need to endure the toughest growing conditions. Overall, planting hydrangeas in the fall is a wise decision for optimal growth and health.
How far apart should I plant nikko hydrangeas?
This article discusses the importance of planting hydrangea shrubs in a proper spacing, particularly for the cultivar ‘Nikko Blue’. The spacing depends on the type of hydrangea and the location. The article by gardening expert Jill Drago provides a guide on how far apart hydrangea plants should be spaced in your garden. Hydrangeas are versatile plants that can be used in various ways, such as containers or hedges. However, the spacing of hydrangea plants significantly impacts their growth and flowering potential.
What happens if you plant hydrangeas too close to each other?
Planting hydrangeas close together can reduce airflow and increase disease prevalence. To ensure healthy plants and gardeners, leave adequate space between plants. Incrediball hydrangeas should be 3-5 feet apart, but can be spaced 3 feet if desired. The number of plants needed for a hedge depends on the plant spacing, and using a plant calculator can help determine the number of plants needed for your space. See how some great gardeners created hedges for inspiration.
How long does it take to turn hydrangeas blue?
Large hydrangea plants may take months to change their color, and some flowers may not change color at all. To achieve color variation, amend the soil as needed and consider factors like growing near concrete, which is highly alkaline, and the pH of the water. Hard water contains many dissolved minerals, making it alkaline, while soft water is acidic. If watering the hydrangea with hard water, it will be a long and ongoing process. Use rainwater instead whenever possible to avoid these issues.
What is the prettiest hydrangea?
Hydrangeas are deciduous shrubs with leafy foliage in summer and bare in winter. The genus Hydrangea consists of many species, with the most common being the Japanese Hydrangea macrophylla, also known as the French hydrangea or bigleaf hydrangea. These flowers cluster into spheres or small flattened flowers surrounded by large ornamental ones. These decorative flowers are sterile and do not contribute to the plant’s reproduction. The flowers needed for propagation are smaller and make up central, flattened inflorescences or on long, branched inflorescences.
Hydrangeas vary in height as well as flower shape, reaching 1. 5m, with some varieties reaching up to 10m. Popular varieties include mophead and lacecap varieties. From ‘Endless Summer’ to ‘Annabell’, these beautiful hydrangeas are a must-have for any gardener.
Which hydrangeas grow the largest?
Hydrangeas, commonly known as climbing hydrangeas, grow to different heights and are used in various garden settings such as container plantings, privacy screens, and hedges. The size of your space and the mature size of the variety you choose are crucial for the overall health and success of your plantings. The most popular species of hydrangeas include Hydrangea anomala, climbing hydrangea, arborescens, smooth hydrangea, macrophylla, bigleaf hydrangea, paniculata, and palm hydrangea.
Do I prune Nikko blue hydrangea?
Nikko blue hydrangeas are a popular choice for their stunning color and dependability. They form their flowers on old wood, resulting in flowers for next year in the fall. Pruning is rarely necessary, but it should be done immediately after blooming to avoid snipping off any flower buds. Nikko blue hydrangeas thrive in partial sun and can be complemented by hoststas, astilbe, and shade-loving annuals like impatiens.
Ferns or lambs ear can add texture to the garden. If you’re looking for a perfect blue hydrangea hedge, Nikko blue is the perfect choice. It’s a versatile and unique choice for cottage foundation gardens.
What is the lifespan of a blue hydrangea?
Hydrangeas are large, shade-loving garden shrubs that flourish in cooler climates and have the potential to survive for up to 50 years with appropriate placement and maintenance.
Do blue hydrangeas like sun or shade?
Blue hydrangeas thrive in areas with morning sun and afternoon shade, prefer temperate climates, and require fertile, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Acidic soil (below 6. 5 pH) is necessary for blue blooms, and regular, deep watering is necessary to avoid waterlogging. Organic mulches can be used to retain soil moisture and regulate temperature. Soil amendments should be applied once or twice a year, and pH should be tested regularly to avoid over-acidification. Not all hydrangeas change color, but bigleaf and mountain hydrangeas can shift from pink to blue based on soil pH.
📹 Pruning Nikko Blue Hydrangeas
Fantastic article, exactly what I was looking for and shown exactly what I wanted to see. The soil we have is alkaline, so I’ve never had blue ones. I bought another one for a pot two years ago and the first year it was blue, I added some Sulphate of Iron but I obviously didn’t had enough has the flowers were more pink than blue, a few blooms were blue but mostly pink. I’ve added a lot more than last time just recently so hopefully as winter passes that will permeate into the soil giving me blue flowers this year. Last year during summer I picked up a hydrangea that is red. I believe it has been modified to bloom red as they’re a bloodish red rather than a pinky/blue “red”.