This is the preferred method if you want to fill gaps between shrubs in your garden or you want a more dense stand of shrubs. Water with rainwater to keep hydrangeas blue. The base of the plant (where the stem meets the soil) should be level with the top of the planting hole. There are five main types of hydrangea: These all have varying degrees of winter hardiness, so it's crucial to know their growing zone limits and their potential vulnerability in winter weather. It needs a few hours of direct sunlight, but a full day of direct sun is contraindicated. This variety is medium-sized, it can be up to 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide. Because hydrangeas prefer to grow in partial shade, they usually do best when planted in a north- or east-facing site, where winter temperatures remain somewhat constant. Its stems are very sturdy and can hold the weight of large inflorescences even in heavy rain. The number one thing to keep in mind is making sure that whatever plants you add to the garden also love the same growing conditions. Flowers in clusters do not bloom simultaneously resulting in a very interesting combination of open and dormant flowers. This hydrangea is not capable of growing in full sun all day. A top-dressing of compost or composted manure makes a perfect meal for your hydrangea to digest over the long winter season. Each time you water, water deeply until the ground feels saturated but is not waterlogged. The best way to keep these yucky diseases out of your garden is to keep it clean. The color of your flowers will depend on your soils pH. Tardiva - Late blooming variety. Apply the garden lime in April and again in October. Here are the common types of hydrangeas and when they should be pruned: Remontant, or reblooming, hydrangeas: These are a new generation of hydrangeas bred to flower more than once throughout the growing season. Learn how to grow these ever-popular flowering shrubs in containers for mobile garden color. This spot should also be large enough for the full size of the plant. If you are pruning in the fall, or not pruning at all, the next thing I would suggest looking into is your fertilizer. Hydrangea 'Red/Purple Romance' is easy care and compact enough to enjoy in containers as well as the garden. Compact, this elegant hydrangea makes a fantastic specimen plant and looks lovely in containers. Subsequent hydrangea container care is relatively easy too. Red can be a difficult color to plant with, since so many plants are varying shades of red. Native to the UK. Blue, purple, red, pink, green, white. The good news is, there's a few actions you can take to keep them thriving. How to Plant, Grow, and Care For Smooth Hydrangeas - All About Gardening The higher the number, the more alkaline the soil and the rosier your hydrangea flowers will be. Magical Ruby Red is hardy and can grow in zones 5-9. Hydrangea Magical Ruby Red | Jackson & Perkins Home Home & Living Outdoor Living Gardening. In acidic soils, the color may change to purple, so if red flowers are your goal, keep the soil pH >6.5. Hydrangea leaves can droop due to lack of water. She was a contributing editor for "Pottery Barn Home," edited 13 books on design and architecture, and has written four books on residential and corporate interior design. Deadhead hydrangeas to keep them blooming all season. Are you looking for a red hydrangea to plant this season but can't decide which one to pick? You can take cuttings off of a stem with a few leaves on it. Treatment should occur ahead of time (late fall or early spring). Backfill your plant with your garden soil, and give it a good watering, and continue to check the moisture level until the plant is established. A slight disadvantage is the dependence of color on the acidity of the soil. To change pink flowers to blue flowers, increase the acidity of the soil. If you continue to have issues, please contact us, 'Limelight' Hydrangea Planting and Growing Tips, How to Plant, Grow and Care for Hydrangeas, Lantana Care: Growing and Pruning Lantana. That means you can grow it anywhere, even in small pots. If your soil is sweeter, 6.5 or above, they will have more pink flowers. A good one to try is "Ami Pasquier" (Hyydrangea macrophylla "Ami Pasquier"). Bigleaf hydrangea has everything it needs to seduce a gardener. Within their species, Hydrangea Macrophylla is one of the most popular types that gardeners decide to plant. Blooming from mid-spring to early fall, the attractive blossoms are borne on sturdy upright stems, guaranteeing a better display. It can be up to 5 feet wide and 3 feet tall. Mulch hydrangeas every year in spring, with leaf mould, well-rotted manure, or compost. It has a large number of flower buds that turn into flowers, which is an advantage over other bigleaf hydrangeas. Hydrangeas are rapid growers, averaging two feet or more of growth per year. City, Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging, Beds and borders, Low Maintenance, Containers. As wind or snow cause the insulation material to settle, thereby exposing the tips of budding branches, you'll want to add more material to replace it. Learning how to care for hydrangeas starts before the plants are even in the ground.