I like plants. You’ve probably already guessed that but what I mean is I love the diversity plants offer us in our lives. I love how the same plant can be used in a formal garden or a cottage garden and still look fantastic. I love how the popularity of certain plants is cyclic just like our fashion industry.
I adore old fashion plants or vintage styled plants (vintage makes me sound more fashionable!). I think there was a reason our grandmother’s gardens were full of certain plants. It was because they didn’t require much TLC to look fantastic all year.
Hydrangeas are one such plant. These wonderful, hardy shrubs would certainly have to be included on the list of the best flowering plants in the world.
Hydrangea flowers are absolutely stunning and with over 500 different cultivars there is sure to be one to suit everyone.
There are two main groups of flowers these cultivars are split between – Mopheads and Lacecaps.
Mophead flowers are large round flower heads resembling as the name implies the head of a mop. In contrast, lacecap flowers bear round flat flower heads with a centre of subdued, fertile flowers surrounded by outer rings of showy, sterile flowers.
Hydrangea flowers usually appear from early spring through to late summer.
It is the colours of the hydrangea flower that I find most amazing. The colours range from white through to red, pink, purple, and blue but the amazing part is I can change the colour of my flower!
The acidity of your soil determines the colour of the flowers. If the soil is acidic the flowers will be blue, electric blue or even peacock blue but if the soil is more Alkaline the flowers will be pink through to red, neutral is purple of course.
The white cultivars remain white regardless of the soil pH. To make sure you get the colour you want you must change the soil pH before flower buds form. I would always check your soil's pH before starting any treatments.
Even though the hydrangea flower is impressive, the foliage too can be quite remarkable. Most hydrangeas have large lush dark green oval leaves, often with serrated edges but some have variegated green and white leaves.
I find hydrangeas to be very hardy ONCE established. The trick is to preserve to get them established. They are best grown in part shade but I have seen some beautiful plants grown in full sun. I find the flowers on these full sun bushes tend to burn off too quickly though in our hot summer sun.
Many of the cultivars available today are compact growing. I find many people believe they aren't good hydrangea growers as their plants are always so small! So make sure you check how big your actual hydrangea grows before you start to feel bad. Due to the compactness I find they do well in both pots and gardens.
I tend to fertilise with a carbon based organic fertiliser, Organic Link, every three months. I also like to liquid fertilise once a fortnight. I alternate fortnights between Triple Boost and Silica and Potash. I find a small prune in late Autumn will help promote next seasons growth and flowers.
If you have struggled with hydrangeas in the past, try growing them again but stick with them. I find pots work well for people who don't have great soil.
About 18months ago I put some hydrangeas into my garden. It was a warm shade spot that received warmth but no sun in winter and morning sun in summer. The soil was loose and well composted (pretty perfect, even if I do say so myself!). They were well watered but not over watered (they may have dried out a few times ... oops). There was many occasions I almost gave up on them. This spring though they have finally gotten their roots in and are taking off. I feel proud to say I am a Hydrangea mumma!
If you feel Hydrangeas and you aren't meant to be, that's ok. Think of them as a really long lasting bunch of cut flowers. Enjoy them all spring and summer in a pot and when it looks sick it's time to part ways. Plants are meant to be enjoyed not stressed over!
Hydrangeas are one of my vintage must haves for your garden as they require not much TLC once established. Plus the anticipation of wondering what colour will it flower this year is a cheap but wonderful thrill all gardeners experience.