Are your hydrangeas failing to bloom? Here's how to select the PERFECT hydrangea for your garden
Gone are the days where hydrangeas come in just pink or blue. We visit East End Trees in Kings Park to show you how much variety they are (and how to find the best one for your garden!)
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Nothing says summer like hydrangeas. These giant blooms are impossible to miss and hard not to fall in love with. These plants are easy to grow, but there's a few common mistakes that keep gardeners from getting the most out of their hydrangeas. I visited East End Trees in Kings Park to help you chose the right one with owner Nick Mitchell.
This Saturday, June 27th, East End Trees will host a Hydrangea Day from 10 a.m to 3 p.m. The event will feature talks from leading representatives from hydrangea breeding programs to help you choose the right hydrangea for your garden and design and care tips to get the most out of your hydrangea.
How to choose the best hydrangea
The biggest mistake people make with hydrangeas is planting the wrong type! Nowadays there are more types of hydrangea to choose from than ever before. These new hydrangeas have been bred to grow smaller, bloom more, and handle tougher conditions. There are thousands of varieties of hydrangeas, but they all fall into a few categories.
1. Panicle hydrangea - Hydrangea paniculata
These have cone shaped blooms and are the easiest to grow because it blooms on new growth and does great in full sun. Varieties like "Limelight" will grow large overtime, but there are shorter varieties available now too. Cone-shaped flowers often age from white to pink. One of the easiest hydrangeas to grow and excellent for large landscapes.
Pictured below a panicle hydrangea in Manhattan
2. Bigleaf hydrangea - Hydrangea macrophylla
Known for blue or pink flowers (but they come in other colors too). This is your classic hydrangea which used to only bloom in June and July but new varieties will often rebloom throughout the summer. These plants can be damaged by winter cold and will not bloom as strong if they are pruned.
Bigleaf hydrangeas love water (and well draining soil) and do best in morning and evening sun. Strong midday sun can burn these plants. Pruning at the wrong time will prevent blooms from developing.
Very hardy and sun tolerant. Blooms on new wood, making pruning easy.
Pictured below a closeup of an Endless Summer hydrangea in Alex Calamia's parents' garden
3. Smooth hydrangea - Hydrangea arborescens
Native to the eastern U.S. and very low maintenance. This hydrangea prefers part sun and moist soil. Blooms on new wood, so it flowers reliably even after harsh winters and can be pruned in late autumn all the way through spring. Loved for huge soft-looking white flower heads like ‘Annabelle' or 'Flowerful'
Pictured below an Incredibal variety of Smooth Hydrangea Courtesy of Proven Winners - www.provenwinners.com.
4. Oakleaf hydrangea - Hydrangea quercifolia
This hydrangea is grown for its beautiful flowers and giant oak-shaped leaves. The leaves turn an outstanding red in autumn. This is another native hydrangea to our area.
Pictured below an oak leaf hydrangea in autumn from Planting Fields in Oyster Bay, NY
5. Mountain hydrangea - Hydrangea serrata
Mountain hydrangea are smaller and more cold tolerant than bigleaf hydrangeas and usually has delicate lacecap flowers. New varieties like Fairytrail Bride are incredible container plants and have unique blooming habits that cascades downward.
6. Climbing hydrangea - Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris
A slow-growing vine that eventually becomes dramatic and massive. Tolerates shade well and clings to walls or trees. Valued for its beautiful lacy flowers. it grows best with support from a trellis but can cling to walls as well.
A hydrangea for any garden
Whether your garden is in sun or shade, there is a hydrangea to fit your needs. And speaking of fits, hydrangeas today have been developed to fit more compact spaces and containers, but there are plenty of classic panicle hydgraneas that will become beautiful small trees. The weather plays a big role in getting successful hydrangea blooms but choosing the right time will guarantee you success year after year!
