{"id":7252,"date":"2026-05-18T08:13:44","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T15:13:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wrwofficial.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/18\/learn-how-to-grow-and-care-for-hydrangeas\/"},"modified":"2026-05-18T08:13:49","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T15:13:49","slug":"learn-how-to-grow-and-care-for-hydrangeas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wrwofficial.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/18\/learn-how-to-grow-and-care-for-hydrangeas\/","title":{"rendered":"Learn How to Grow and Care for Hydrangeas"},"content":{"rendered":"

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All of which are comprised of small, densely packed, star-shaped blooms.<\/p>\n

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Photo by Lorna Kring.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

There are evergreen species, but those commonly sold in garden centers are deciduous and lose their leaves in late autumn.<\/p>\n

Some cultivars have a light fragrance, although most do not.<\/p>\n

Ancient hydrangea fossils dating to the early Cenozoic era (65 million years ago) have been found all along the length of western North America \u2013 a good indicator of their longevity!<\/p>\n

First cultivated in Japan, they didn\u2019t arrive in Europe until the early 18th<\/sup> century \u2013 and arrived from North America when a colonist sent a native varietal home to England.<\/p>\n

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In Japan, they\u2019re thought to be a sign of gratitude or apology because an emperor once gifted them to the families of ladies he fancied.<\/p>\n

On the flip side, the Victorians assigned them the meaning of boastfulness or vanity due to their big, showy flowers \u2013 very immodest!<\/p>\n

And Victorians also used them to politely tell a suitor of their disinterest.<\/p>\n

Native Americans successfully employed the roots and bark of native species as a diuretic and for pain relief.<\/p>\n

But please don\u2019t try this at home \u2013 many commercial garden species are toxic to animals and humans and can cause mild to severe stomach upset.<\/p>\n

How to Grow<\/h2>\n

Hydrangeas prefer a full sun to part shade location, but can only handle hot, full sun locations if the soil is kept consistently moist.<\/p>\n

Because they have big leaves, they transpire a lot of moisture. And if exposed to hot afternoon sunshine without adequate moisture, leaves will wilt and droop.<\/p>\n

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They enjoy rich soil amended with organic material and require a well-draining site.<\/p>\n

The planting hole should be two to three times the width of the root ball and of an equal depth.<\/p>\n

Add some bone meal<\/a><\/strong> to the amended soil, loosen any bound or twisted roots before setting in place. Backfill with amended soil and water thoroughly to settle.<\/p>\n

When planting, choose a site to accommodate the plant\u2019s full size and avoid locations prone to strong, gusty winds.<\/p>\n

Those grown in containers may need to be watered daily, and a four-inch layer of mulch<\/a><\/strong> will help to retain moisture.<\/p>\n

Feed with a slow release, balanced fertilizer, with a 10-10-10 (NPK) ratio, in early spring.<\/p>\n

For container growth, ensure your pots have an adequate layer of drainage material and most importantly, holes in the bottom.<\/p>\n

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Photo by Lorna Kring.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

And use a potting mix with plenty of moisture-retentive material such as peat moss, perlite, or vermiculite.<\/p>\n

After planting, mix in a slow-release fertilizer and water well.<\/p>\n

In Zones 5 and cooler, plant in sheltered locations and provide extra winter protection if needed.<\/p>\n

To minimize bud loss and protect from dieback, wrap with burlap or landscape fabric to protect against cold snaps and extreme winter temperatures.<\/p>\n

You can read more about growing hydrangea in containers here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Adjust Your Soil pH<\/h3>\n

One of the most interesting aspects of hydrangea is that some varieties have flowers that can change color<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The color is influenced by soil chemistry, with pH levels able to affect the flower color of bigleaf and mountain species, H. macrophylla <\/em>and H. serrata<\/em>.<\/p>\n

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Photo by Lorna Kring.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Typically, flowers are blue in soil of high acidity, and mauve to pink in alkaline soil. Some shrubs will even show all three colors at once!<\/p>\n

If unsure of your soil\u2019s pH, it\u2019s wise to test before planting<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

To alter pH levels and manipulate flower color, treat the soil well before flowers bloom, starting in late summer and continuing the following spring.<\/p>\n

To encourage blue blooms, grow in acidic soil with a pH of 5.2 to 5.5.<\/p>\n

Incorporating naturally acidic materials such as coffee grounds<\/a><\/strong>, peat moss<\/a><\/strong>, pine needles, oak leaves, or sawdust will increase levels slightly and slowly.<\/p>\n

Or, you can increase soil acidity by adding aluminum sulfate, ammonium sulfate, or a soil acidifier.<\/p>\n

For mauve to pink blooms, a more alkaline soil is needed with a range of pH 6.0 to 6.2.<\/p>\n

Garden lime is the easiest way to raise the soil pH<\/a><\/strong> (making it more alkaline). Apply at the rate outlined in package specifications.<\/p>\n

Retest your soil periodically to monitor the effects of any soil amendment \u2013 over time, the pH will revert back to original levels.<\/p>\n

And if you\u2019re want to maintain a certain pH level, soil should be tested annually.<\/p>\n

Also, it should be noted that species with true white or cream flowers, like the oakleaf, H. quercifolia<\/em>,\u00a0will stay their original color regardless of the soil\u2019s chemical composition.<\/p>\n

Species and Cultivars<\/h2>\n

These are the most commonly grown garden species in North America:<\/p>\n

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