Reliable, long-flowering hydrangeas for gardens of all sizes.
Hydrangeas are a reliable flowering shrub, blooming for months rather than the few weeks most plants offer. They are easy to grow, both in pots and in the open ground. All they need is the right situation, plenty of water in dry weather and occasional feeding with the right fertiliser.
Planting
- Pots - Pot grown hydrangeas can be planted at any time of year. Choose large pots that will allow the plants to thrive for several years. Small containers tend to dry out too quickly.
- Open ground - When planting in open ground, prepare the soil thoroughly by incorporating plenty of garden compost or organic manure to improve its structure. Adding a few handfuls of fertiliser and forking it well into the soil will boost the humus content, helping to retain water and nutrients in the years to come.
Situation
- Most hydrangeas will grow in any open, sunny location but prefer light shade.
- They thrive in heavy clay, making them ideal for most new-build, compacted soils.
- As the name suggests, they like plenty of water, so regularly adding compost and manure helps retain moisture.
- Mulching the ground around the plants early in the season will also help retain moisture.
Keeping blue hydrangeas blue
To maintain the blue colour in blue hydrangeas, use a colourant like Vitax Hydrangea Colourant. It can be diluted in water and applied to established plants. This should help maintain the colour, but be patient, it doesn’t happen instantly.
For more information, visit Vitax’s ‘Getting the best from Hydrangeas’.