Learn the best tricks to make hydrangeas bloom more throughout the summer and into fall.
Blooms will begin appearing in July, continuing into the fall.
The plants do best in full sun and well-drained soil and arehardy in Zones 3-8.
Credit: Bob Stefko
‘Invincibelle Spirit’ is a newer variety that blooms pink instead of the typical white.
It grows in sunny or partly shady conditions in Zones 4-9.
If you prune the stems one year, you are likely cutting off the following year’s flowers.
Credit: Matthew Benson
It’s OK to remove any dead stems in spring.
In cool summer climates with abundant summer moisture, bigleaf hydrangeas can be grown in full sun.
Where summers are hotter or dry, though, these hydrangeas appreciate morning sun and afternoon shade.
Credit: King Au
Growing these in too much shade will result in fewer hydrangea flowers or none at all.
Bigleaf hydrangeas can beespecially touchy when grown in Northern states.
Although some varieties are hardy in Zones 4 or 5, many are only reliable in Zones 6-9.
Credit: Studio Au King
In cold regions, flowering can be affected by early-fall frost, late-spring frost, orsuper-cold winter temperatures.
Consider growing one of the many new hydrangeas that bloom on old and new wood.
Or enjoy bigleaf hydrangeas only for their leaf colors; some varieties sport green-and-white variegated leaves or lemon-lime hues.
Credit:Blaine Moats
These plants' coarse leaves add texture and fantastic fall color to the garden.
Common varieties with variegated foliage include Guilded Gold, ‘Lemon Wave’, and Light-O-Day.
Watering
All hydrangeas love water.
(Theirname comes from the Greekhydrameaning “water.")
But how much water do hydrangeas need?
Be sure to keep the soil moist but not soggy.
Fertilizing
Fertilizing hydrangeas can be a tricky task.
