3197 S. Chicago St., Joliet, IL 60436 | (815) 722-2280 |

Hydrangea Care

Hydrangea Care

  1. Hydrangea aborescens
    Cultivars: Annabelle, Haas halo, and Incrediball
    • Soil: very adaptable, but proliferates in rich well drained moist soil, PH adaptable
    • Sunlight: Full to partial shade
    • Pruning:
      Newly Planted Young shrub: Prune or pinch your plant in order to build a full bodied and well branched plant, If the plant is leggy, shear the plant back half to one-third its original size. Once it puts on an inch of growth pinch to tip out again. You may repeat this process throughout the first growing season. Although you may sacrifice one year of bloom, this technique will result in a full bodied prolific blooming hydrangea.
      Mature Plants: These hydrangea form their flower buds in late spring/early summer. Prune in late fall, winter or March. Responds well to being cut back to about 12” above ground.
    • Watering: if planted in full sun. Daily watering is required. Depending on sun conditions and exposure, watering may vary. Look for leaves to look wilted or droopy before watering.
    • Fertilizing: fertilize shrubs in early spring with a slow release granular specialized for trees and shrubs. Do not fertilize in summer or fall as once the buds are set fertilizing will cause this cultivar to drop its blooms. Acidifiers are not required for this cultivar.
    • Staking may be required when in full bloom, since the blooms are so big and heavy.
hydrangea care
  1. Hydrangea macropylla
    Cultivars: Endless Summer, Let’s Dance, Bloomstruck, City Line Paris
    • Soil: very adaptable, but proliferates in rich well drained moist soil, PH adaptable
    • Sunlight: Partial sun.
    • Pruning:
      Newly Planted Young shrub: Prune or pinch your plant in order to build a full bodied and well branched plant, If the plant is leggy, shear the plant back half to one-third its original size. Once it puts on an inch of growth pinch to tip out again. You may repeat this process throughout the first growing season. Although you may sacrifice one year of bloom, this technique will result in a full bodied prolific blooming hydrangea.

      Mature Plants: These plants typically do not require much pruning. If you wish to build a tighter plant or a shorter size follow these instructions. The flower buds form in later summer then flower the next year in early to midsummer. The best time to prune is after the initial plant bloom form mid-July to mid-August. Selectively prune out any dead or non-flowering producing stems. Cease pruning in mid-August.
    • Watering: if planted in full sun. Daily watering is required. Depending on sun conditions and exposure, watering may vary. Look for leaves to look wilted or droopy before watering.
    • Fertilizing: fertilize shrubs in early spring with a slow release granular specialized for trees and shrubs. PH affects flower color. For blue the soil must be acidic: Allied carries many products to achieve this. For pink to not acidify. Acidify in late spring/ early summer. Apply and soak the roots.

      The macropylla cultivars are unique in that it sets its buds in late summer/ fall and overwinters them. A hard winter or late frost may kill the buds. New buds will form in spring and still bloom in summer, just not as many. Although root hardy, protect with a light layer of mulch to improve bloom reliability.
  2. Hydrangea paniculata
    Cultivars: Limelight, Little Lime, Pee Gee, Pinky Winky, Firelight, Quicke Fire,
    Little Quick Fire, Strawberry Sundae
    • Soil: prefers good loamy soil, most adaptable of all hydrangeas
    • Sunlight: Partial sun to full sun (preferably not hot western sun)
    • Pruning:
      Newly Planted Young shrub: Prune or pinch your plant in order to build a full bodied and well branched plant, If the plant is leggy, shear the plant back half to one-third its original size. Once it puts on an inch of growth pinch to tip out again. You may repeat this process throughout the first growing season. Although you may sacrifice one year of bloom, this technique will result in a full bodied prolific blooming hydrangea.
      Mature Plants: Best pruned in early spring. Blooms on new wood. Very tolerant of hard pruning, in fact cutting back from ½ to 1/3 will result in larger blooms.
    • Watering: medium moisture is required, will tolerate drought
    • Fertilizing: fertilize shrubs in early spring with a slow release granular specialized for trees and shrubs. PH does not affect bloom color
  3. Hydrangea quecifolia – Oakleaf
    Cultivars: Gatsby Pink, Ruby Slippers
    • Soil: well drained soil
    • Sunlight: Full shade to partial shade
    • Pruning:
      Newly Planted Young shrub: Prune or pinch your plant in order to build a full bodied and well branched plant, If the plant is leggy, shear the plant back half to one-third its original size. Once it puts on an inch of growth pinch to tip out again. You may repeat this process throughout the first growing season. Although you may sacrifice one year of bloom, this technique will result in a full bodied prolific blooming hydrangea.
      Mature Plants: Little if no pruning is required. As the buds set in the fall it is best to do any pruning or shaping after the blooms fade, but no later than mid-August.
    • Watering: moisture is a necessity of this plant when young. Drought tolerant when mature
    • Fertilizing: fertilize shrubs in early spring with a slow release granular specialized for trees and shrubs. PH does not affect bloom color.
  4. Climbing Hydrangea
    • Soil: rich well drained but moist soil.
    • Sunlight: partial shade
    • Pruning: No need to prune. Train on a tree or wall. It is a strong grower, but not aggressive
    • Watering: if planted in full sun, sufficient moisture is needed with daily watering on hot dry summer days
    • Fertilizing: fertilize shrubs in early spring with a slow release granular specialized for trees and shrubs. PH adaptable

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